Chief Justice, Do you really not know what kind of government we have?
22357 Columbia Street
Dearborn, MI 48124-3431
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pvs6@Cornell.edu
2 April 2007 VIA FEDEX SHIPPER # 8535 4296 8820
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.
Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
202-479-3211
Subject : A Simple Question
Dear Chief Justice Roberts:
My only experience with the U.S. Supreme Court was my work (in behalf of the
plaintiff) in the case of Baker v General Motors. Requests for my assistance
originated with Professor Lawrence Tribe of Harvard University. Although prior
to your appointment to the Court, the ruling was unanimous in favor of the
plaintiff. For this and many other efforts (in transportation safety) I was
chosen to receive the Civil Justice Foundation award, along with 2008
presidential candidate John Edwards and Father Patrick Doyle. My question to you
is not-nearly as complex as the issues of Baker v GM. My question is simple. It
is based on a quote you made at the White House subsequent to being nominated by
President Bush in July 2005.
Your quote follows:
“Before I became a judge, my law practice consisted largely of arguing cases
before the Court. That experience left me with a profound appreciation for the
role of the Court in our constitutional democracy."
Your use of the phrase “constitutional democracy” is confusing. It is my
understanding that the Founding Fathers (and the great women that brought them
into the world) intended that the United States of America be founded as a
constitutional republic. My simple question follows: Is the United States of
America a constitutional democracy or a constitutional republic? Please feel
free to contact me at any time.
Respectfully and sincerely,
Paul V. Sheridan
Attachments: For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 19, 2005 President Announces Judge John Roberts as Supreme Court Nominee The State Floor In Focus: Judicial Nominations 9:02 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. One of the most consequential decisions a President makes is his appointment of a Justice to the Supreme Court. When a President chooses a Justice, he's placing in human hands the authority and majesty of the law. The decisions of the Supreme Court affect the life of every American. And so a nominee to that Court must be a person of superb credentials and the highest integrity; a person who will faithfully apply the Constitution and keep our founding promise of equal justice under law. I have found such a person in Judge John Roberts. And tonight, I'm honored to announce that I am nominating him to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. John Roberts currently serves on one of the most influential courts in the nation, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. |
Before he was a -- before he was a respected judge, he was
known as one of the most distinguished and talented attorneys in America. John
Roberts has devoted his entire professional life to the cause of justice and is
widely admired for his intellect, his sound judgment, and personal decency.
Judge Roberts was born in Buffalo and grew up in Indiana. In high school, he
captained his football team, and he worked summers in a steel mill to help pay
his way through college. He's an honors graduate of both Harvard College and
Harvard Law School. In his career, he has served as a law clerk to Justice
William Rehnquist, as an Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, and as
the Principal Deputy Solicitor General in the Department of Justice. In public
service and in private practice, he has argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court
and earned a reputation as one of the best legal minds of his generation. Judge
Roberts has earned the respect of people from both political parties. After he
was nominated for the Court of Appeals in 2001, a bipartisan group of more than
150 lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee. They wrote:
"Although as individuals we reflect a wide spectrum of political party
affiliation and ideology, we are united in our belief that John Roberts will be
an outstanding federal court appeals judge and should be confirmed by the United
States Senate." The signers of this letter included a former counsel to a
Republican President, a former counsel to two Democratic Presidents, and a
former -- and former high-ranking Justice Department officials of both parties.
My decision to nominate Judge Roberts to the Supreme Court came after a thorough
and deliberative process. My staff and I consulted with more than 70 members of
the United States Senate. I received good advice from both Republicans and
Democrats. I appreciate the care they took. I'm grateful for their advice. I
reviewed the credentials of many well-qualified men and women. I met personally
with a number of potential nominees. In my meetings with Judge Roberts, I have
been deeply impressed. He's a man of extraordinary accomplishment and ability.
He has a good heart. He has the qualities Americans expect in a judge:
experience, wisdom, fairness, and civility. He has profound respect for the rule
of law and for the liberties guaranteed to every citizen. He will strictly apply
the Constitution and laws, not legislate from the bench. He's also a man of
character who loves his country and his family. I'm pleased that his wife, Jane,
and his two beautiful children, Jack and Josie, could be with us tonight. Judge
Roberts has served his fellow citizens well, and he is prepared for even greater
service. Under the Constitution, Judge Roberts now goes before the United States
Senate for confirmation. I've recently spoken with leaders Senator First and
Senator Reid, and with senior members of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman
Specter and Senator Leahy. These senators share my goal of a dignified
confirmation process that is conducted with fairness and civility. The
appointments of the two most recent Justices to the Supreme Court prove that
this confirmation can be done in a timely manner.
So I have full confidence that the Senate will rise to
the occasion and act promptly on this nomination. It is important that the
newest Justice be on the bench when the Supreme Court reconvenes in
October. I believe that Democrats and Republicans alike will see the
strong qualifications of this fine judge as they did when they confirmed
him by unanimous consent to the judicial seat he now holds. I look forward
to the Senate voting to confirm Judge John Roberts as the 109th Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge Roberts, thank you for
agreeing to serve, and congratulations. JUDGE ROBERTS: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, very much. It is both an honor and very humbling to be nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Before I became a judge, my law practice consisted largely of arguing cases before the Court. That experience left me with a profound appreciation for the role of the Court in our constitutional democracy and a deep regard for the Court as an institution. I always got a lump in my throat whenever I walked up those marble steps to argue a case before the Court, and I don't think it was just from the nerves. I am very grateful for the confidence the President has shown in nominating me, and I look forward to the next step in the process before the United States Senate. It's also appropriate for me to acknowledge that I would not be standing here today if it were not for the sacrifice and help of my parents, Jack and Rosemary Roberts, my three sisters, Cathy, Peggy, and Barbara, and of course, my wife, Jane. And I also want to acknowledge my children -- my daughter, Josie, my son, Jack -- who remind me every day why it's so important for us to work to preserve the institutions of our democracy. Thank you again, very much. |
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END 9:09 P.M. EDT
Return to this article at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050719-7.html