10/31/2005

CFJ Congratulates President on Alito Nomination

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /Christian Wire Service/ -- The Committee for Justice, which promotes constitutionalist judicial nominees, today congratulated President Bush on nominating Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court and called for a respectful confirmation process.

CFJ Co-Chairman Spence Abraham said:

"With Sam Alito, the President has nominated one of nation's most impressive legal minds to the Supreme Court. Judge Alito is a constitutionalist who respects the rule of law and understands that judges have a vital yet limited role in our system of government.

"We call on senators to ensure a fair and respectful confirmation process. With issues ranging from property rights to 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance, the nation deserves a serious debate about the court's role in American life.

"We look forward to a civil and dignified confirmation process, focused on Judge Alito's qualifications and experience, not on ideological or religious litmus tests, consistent with Senate tradition and the Constitution, concluding in an up or down vote in the Senate."

CFJ Co-Chairman Ronald A. Cass said:

"In announcing his intention to nominate Judge Sam Alito to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, President Bush has selected an extremely smart, principled, and thoughtful jurist with impeccable credentials. Judge Alito has served his nation with distinction and has worked to uphold the rule of law as a prosecutor, a high-ranking government official, and, for the past fifteen years, as a judge. Judge Alito has the experience, the temperament, and the demonstrated commitment to constitutional text, structure, and history, that should make him an excellent justice.

"I hope that the United States Senate will take up his nomination quickly, with the sort of dignified proceeding appropriate to the confirmation process. This process should not focus on ideology or on the association of particular Supreme Court positions with ideological or demographic characteristics of those who have held the position before. The ability and temperament of the nominee should be the sole concern of the confirmation process. On those scores, there is no doubt that this nominee excels."