ConfirmThem

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BUSH: For the past two months members of the United States Senate and the American people have learned about the career and character of Judge Roberts. They like what they see.

He's a man of integrity and fairness and throughout his life he has inspired the respect and loyalty of others.

John Roberts has built a record of excellence and achievement and reputation for goodwill and decency toward others.

In his extraordinary career Judge Roberts has argued 39 cases before the nation's highest court. When I nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, he was confirmed by unanimous consent.

Both those who have worked with him and those who have faced him in a courtroom speak with admiration of his striking ability as a lawyer and his natural gifts as a leader. Judge Roberts has earned the nation's confidence and I'm pleased to announce that I will nominate him to serve as the 17th chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The passing of Chief Justice William Rehnquist leaves the center chair empty, just four weeks left before the Supreme Court reconvenes.

It's in the interests of the court and the country to have a chief justice on the bench on the first full day of the fall term.

The Senate is well along in the process of considering Judge Roberts' qualifications. They know his record and his fidelity to the law.

I am confident that the Senate can complete hearings and confirm him as chief justice within a month. As a result of my decision to nominate Judge Roberts to be chief justice I also have the responsibility to submit a nominee to follow Sandra Day O'Connor. I will do so in a timely manner. Twenty-five years ago John Roberts came to Washington as a clerk to Justice William Rehnquist. In his boss, the young clerk found a role model, a professional mentor and a friend for life.

I am certain that Chief Justice Rehnquist [was] hoping to welcome John Roberts as a colleague. We're all sorry that day didn't come. It is fitting that a great chief justice be followed in office by a person who shared his deep reverence for the Constitution, his profound respect for the Supreme Court, and his complete devotion to the cause of justice. Congratulations.

ROBERTS: Thank you Mr. President. I am honored and humbled at the confidence that the president has shown in me and I am very much aware that if I am confirmed I would succeed a man I deeply respect and admire, a man who has been very kind to me for 25 years.

Thank you Mr. President for that special opportunity.