Orrin Hatch: “the nomination of Judge John Roberts to the Supreme Court presents the Senate with some real challenges and…”

“the nomination of Judge John Roberts to the Supreme Court presents the Senate with some real challenges and opportunities. First, it allows us the specific opportunity to place on our Nation's highest Court a man of impeccable qualifications and unquestioned character. Everbody here knows that. After an unprecedented degree of consultation with the Senate, President Bush has nominated a truly outstanding individual. Judge Roberts has a strong background in terms of education and experience. Judge Roberts is a summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College--a degree which he finished in just three years--and a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was the managing editor of the Harvard Law Review; meaning he is at the pinnacle of Law school students at the time throughtout the country. He was a law clerk for two distinguished Federal judges: First for the late Judge Henry Friendly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, widely recognized as one of the most influential appellate judges of his time; and next on the U.S. Supreme Court for then-Associate Justice William Rehnquist. Now Chief Justice, he too is one of the most outstanding jurists of his time. Judge Roberts's career in legal practice covers both the public and private sectors. He held several positions in two administrations, including Special Assistant to the Attorney General, Associate Counsel to the President, and Principal Deputy Solicitor General, all high positions.…”