Broad Coalition of Colorado Groups and Allied Organizations Responds to President Bush's Supreme Court Nominee
Denver - On Tuesday, President Bush nominated John G. Roberts, Jr., to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the United States Supreme Court. Today, the Colorado Coalition for Fair Justices issued the following statement in response to this nomination: "The Colorado Coalition for Fair Justices is united in its call for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty to conduct a thorough, independent review of Judge Roberts' nomination. In order for the system of checks and balances to work, the Senate must be actively involved in this process-it must be more than a rubber stamp." "Judge Roberts' record leads to serious concerns about where he stands on crucial legal and constitutional issues. He will earn a lifetime seat on our nation's highest court only if he can clearly and convincingly respond to these concerns and if he can demonstrate that he will uphold the Constitution and protect Americans' most fundamental civil rights and liberties. He must be forthcoming about his record, including his work as Deputy Solicitor General. The burden is on Judge Roberts to be candid and forthcoming with Senators regarding his judicial philosophy." "We expect our Senators not to act merely as a rubber stamp to President Bush's nominees. Senators Salazar and Allard have a duty to Coloradans and the American public to ask tough questions and only vote for nominees that support privacy, freedom, reproductive rights and personal responsibility. The decisions Judge Roberts makes if appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court will affect every Coloradan," stated Beth Ganz, Executive Director of NARAL-Pro Choice Colorado. "When it comes to appointing a new Justice to the Supreme Court, the stakes for our country could not be higher. In the next few years, the Supreme Court could decide whether citizens even have the right to weight in on issues that are fundamental for our communities and our way of life, such as clean air, safe water supplies, and natural resource protection," states Adriana Raudzens of Sierra Club. The Colorado Coalition for Fair Justices will be meeting in the following week to determine its position on Judge Roberts and to organize a public education campaign throughout Colorado to educate the public about Judge Roberts and the important role of the US Senate. ###
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