Thursday, March 09, 2006

"Being a judge sometimes requires the lonely courage of a patriot"

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, in his first public speech since his confirmation, quoting former President Ronald Reagan.

Roberts served as Associate Counsel to President Reagan from 1982 to 1986.

The Chief Justice spoke at the request of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California yesterday.

His characteristic humor on exhibit, Roberts noted the "herculean efforts" of the library's archivists, who produced 60,000 pages to the Senate Judiciary Committee in time for the start of his confirmation hearings. "Now in response to that effort there's only one thing I can say — thanks a lot," he said sarcastically, bringing a roar of laughter from those in attendance.

He was asked a question by a 16-year-old girl named Emily, "What are your thoughts on interpreting the constitution as a living document as well as in the context it was written?" Roberts joked, "ah, senator ..." causing the audience to erupt in laughter at the suggestion that he was back before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Roberts' speech was part of The Reagan Lecture, which is a platform for leading public officials who've followed in Reagan's footsteps to reaffirm his legacy. Previous presenters include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Read the entire story here (requires registration).

What a class act!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I live in Indiana and I can tell this man is from the Hoosier state. He is quite, conservative and has a sense of humor. I don't see how people could not like him.