For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
April 8, 2002
Vice President Speaks at Courthouse Groundbreaking
Remarks by the Vice President at the Groundbreaking Ceremony
for the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse Annex
E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
Washington, D.C.
As Prepared for Delivery
Thank you very much. Mr. Chief Justice, Chief Judges Ginsburg and
Hogan, Judges of the District and Circuit Courts, Mayor Williams,
Delegate Norton, ladies and gentlemen: I'm delighted to join all of you
in today's ceremony.
Usually when a crowd gathers outside this building, somebody's in
trouble. Today is a happy exception. We're here to break ground on an
annex to this fine old structure. The U.S. Courts building doesn't
really stand out in the Washington landscape. It's not known for
special style, or flair, or extravagance - nothing at all flashy about
it. In short, the perfect place for a joint appearance by Dick Cheney
and Bill Rehnquist.
The E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse is named for one of many
distinguished jurists to pass through here in a half-century. Others
include David Bazelon, Burnita Matthews, Warren Burger, Barrington
Parker Sr., Patricia Wald, Robert Bork, and current Justices Antonin
Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Those names represent
varying judicial philosophies. Together they reflect a single standard
of excellence and integrity that is maintained to this day.
Here, and in courthouses across America, federal judges go about
the hard and serious work of delivering justice. I'm sure many of you
will attest that the rewards do not come in wealth. For even the most
experienced judge, the job requires daily discipline ... sustained
concentration ...a searching mind ...an alert conscience. Judges are
given a great deal of authority, and with it a great deal of
responsibility. The highest rewards come in discharging that
responsibility with honor, impartiality, and humanity. You do that job
well, and you have the nation's gratitude.
The federal courts of the District of Columbia are among the most
important in the land. And the trials and appeals conducted here are
among the nation's highest-profile cases. By statute, appeals from
many agency decisions are taken directly to this courthouse. And under
a law signed by President Bush after the attacks of September 11, the
D.C. Circuit will be the exclusive venue for appeals in certain matters
involving alleged terrorists. The addition of new workspace here
reminds us of the increasing demands on our federal judiciary, and of
the enormous importance of its work to the country.
President Truman was at this site in 1950 as the cornerstone was
laid. That afternoon he said, and I quote: "One of the most important
duties of the President of the United States is to appoint Federal
judges. I give that more thought, more care, and more deliberation
than most any other thing I do in my duties."
President Bush views his responsibilities in the same way.
Judicial nominees must be men and women of experience, meeting the
highest standards of legal training, temperament, and judgment. They
must respect the powers given them under the Constitution, and the
limits of those powers. And they should be lawyers of skill,
discernment, and high character.
Just under a year ago, the President announced his first nominees
for the federal bench. Yet of these eleven men and women, only three
have been given a hearing in the United States Senate. All of the
others are still awaiting confirmation hearings, including two superbly
qualified nominees for the D. C. Circuit, John Roberts and Miguel
Estrada.
As we begin the work of expanding this building, it's worth
remembering that a courthouse is not a court. Only judges make a
court, and one-third of the seats on this Circuit Court are empty. For
another court of appeals - the Sixth Circuit, covering Ohio, Michigan,
Kentucky, and Tennessee - seven presidential nominees are still
awaiting hearings. That court sits half empty, with eight active
judges doing the work of sixteen. Nationwide, nearly a hundred
district and circuit judgeships are unfilled, and 40 of them have been
classified as judicial emergencies. The President is committed to
filling them, and has submitted to the Senate the names of 98
nominees. Yet there are today more judicial vacancies than on the day
we were inaugurated. The pace of attrition is actually faster than the
pace of the Senate confirmation process.
The Senate's delays are causing a vacancy crisis, and are
inexcusable - endangering the quality of justice in the federal
courts. As a matter of respect for the judicial branch ... and courtesy
to the executive branch ... and simple fairness to the nominees
themselves, the Senate should do its duty, and give a prompt hearing
and vote to every person selected for this and other courts. Perhaps
this construction project, within sight of the Capitol, will stir the
Senate, and cause new judges to arrive here. As a friend of mine said,
"Maybe if you build it, they will come."
Every judge here today holds his or her post because that simple
consideration was given to them. They have reflected credit on the
Presidents of both parties who selected them, and on the senators of
both parties who confirmed them. This morning I want to thank one in
particular, Judge Harry Edwards, for his diligent efforts as chief
judge in getting this building annex underway. In the years and
decades to come, all who work here will follow in the finest of
traditions. I am certain that the best legal talent America can
produce will be collected here for as long these buildings stand.
Thank you very much.
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