NATIONAL NEWS
October 31, 2005
A New Supreme Court Nominee
President George W. Bush chooses Judge Samuel Alito to serve on the nation's highest court
 President Bush watches Judge Samuel Alito speak after he was nominated to the Supreme Court. |
 |  |
President George W. Bush has chosen Judge Samuel Alito as his nominee to serve on the Supreme Court. Bush announced Alito as his pick on Monday morning. He called him "one of the most accomplished and respected judges in America."
Alito, 55, said he was honored by the nomination. He said he believes justices "have the duty to interpret the Constitution and the laws faithfully and fairly, to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans…." If confirmed, Alito said he would work hard to do fulfill that duty. He would replace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has retired.
All About Alito
Alito was born April 1, 1950 in Trenton, New Jersey. After graduating from Princeton University, he went on to earn a degree from Yale Law School in 1975. In 1993, the President's father, former President George H.W. Bush, appointed Alito to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been a judge for 15 years. As a lawyer, Alito argued 12 cases before the Supreme Court.
Alito is married and has two children. His son Philip is in college and daughter Laura is in high school.
Deciding on a Justice
Bush called for Alito to be confirmed as a justice by the end of the year. His first pick to replace O'Connor was John Roberts. After Chief Justice William Rehnquist died in September, however, Roberts was confirmed to fill Rehnquist’s position.
Bush’s second nominee was White House lawyer Harriet Miers. Miers withdrew from the confirmation process last week after she came under attack from both Republicans and Democrats.
Most Republicans support Alito’s nomination. However, many Democrats say Alito’s views on women's rights could cause them to oppose his nomination.
