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Hail to the New Chief

John G. Roberts Jr. was sworn in last Thursday as the 17th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. "The Senate has confirmed a man with an astute mind and kind heart," President George W. Bush said.

President Bush nominated Roberts to replace Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist after his death on September 3. Roberts battled through many difficult days of hearings. He was overwhelmingly confirmed by a Senate vote of 78 to 22.

After Roberts took the oath of office, he thanked Bush for nominating him for the top job. "There is no way to repay the confidence you have shown in me other than to do the best job I possibly can, and I'll try to do that every day," he said.

Roberts was ready to take his seat at the center of the bench for the start of the court's new session on October 3. "With the confirmation of John Roberts, the Supreme Court will embark on a new era in its history," Senator Bill Frist said.

Soon more movement will take place on the high court. President Bush is expected to nominate someone this week to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced her plans to retire in July. Although the President has not hinted at whom he will choose, some believe that he will pick a woman or a person from a minority group to make the nation's highest court more diverse.

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