Orrin Hatch: “Rather than take time to respond, I will write a letter to the distinguished Senator and point out where she is in error…”

“Rather than take time to respond, I will write a letter to the distinguished Senator and point out where she is in error on the Owen matter. As a matter of fact, I think it has been outrageous the way some of the arguments have been made on the other side against this really excellent justice from the State of Texas, who has a unanimous well qualified, the highest rating, from the American Bar Association. I think we have had pure, unadulterated, raw politics involved with regard to Justice Owen. This debate we are now having is about the raw politics that are being used against Miguel Estrada, the first Hispanic ever nominated to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Today is Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, commemorating the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This battle came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. The victory demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves against any foreign intervention. Cinco de Mayo is now viewed as a festive day to celebrate freedom and liberty. The fifth of May, 2003, in the Senate, unfortunately is also the 3-month anniversary of the beginning of the debate on Miguel Estrada. I would hope that we would be celebrating the liberation of his nomination and the freedom to vote on final passage on this Cinco de Mayo.”