THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
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For Immediate Release
January 3, 2001
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The most fundamental right of American democracy is the right to equal
justice under the law. Whenever our citizens knock on the door of justice,
they have a right to expect a judge to answer. Unfortunately, too many
courts around the country are in a state of emergency because of judicial
vacancies. In these places justice is being delayed. The people?s appeals
are not being heard. That is simply unacceptable. That?s why today I
renominated eight highly qualified appellate court nominees for vacancies
that are considered by the U.S. Judicial Conference to be judicial
emergencies.
They are Roger Gregory of Virginia, nominated to fill a vacancy on the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; Judge James Wynn of
North Carolina, nominated for the Fourth Circuit; Enrique Moreno of Texas,
nominated for the Fifth Circuit; Judge Helene White of Michigan, nominated
for the Sixth Circuit ? the longest waiting nominee; Kathleen McCree Lewis
of Michigan, nominated for the Sixth Circuit; Bonnie Campbell of Iowa,
nominated for the Eighth Circuit; Barry Goode of California, nominated for
the Ninth Circuit; and James Duffy of Hawaii, nominated for the Ninth
Circuit. Together, these nominees have waited a total of 4,757 days for
Senate action ? that?s more than 13 years combined. Only one of them has
even received a hearing. And two -- the nominees from Hawaii and North
Carolina -- are from states with no current representation on the appellate
court, even though under federal law every state should have such
representation.
It is my sincere hope that we can work with the Senate in a bipartisan
spirit to get these nominees confirmed. The qualifications of these
nominees are not in question. All of them are highly rated and respected.
They also represent the kind of diversity that we all know enhances
fairness and confidence in our courts.
In a nation that prides itself in the fair and expeditious rule of
law, the people have a right to expect that judicial emergencies are
treated with the urgency they demand. So, I urge the new Senate to give
these nominees the simple up or down vote they deserve without further
delay.
30-30-30
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