Senate Proceeding 05-13-09 on May 13th, 2009 :: 1:56:30 to 2:04:10
Total video length: 4 hours 42 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Download OptionsEmbed Video

Views:191 Duration: 0:07:40 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

1:56:30 to 2:04:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Roland Burris

1:56:35 to 1:56:58( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: sanders amendment mr. bur is: mr. president, i no ask unanimous consent to speak for up to three minutes. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. surbusiness: thank you, mr. president. -- mr. burris: than mr. president. as i address this chamber today, politicians and pundits across

1:56:59 to 1:57:19( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: the country are bracing for th spirited tug of precedes the nomination of any supreme court justice. a list of names has appeared seemingly out of thin air and the media is beginning to speculatively debate on who this person will be. it may seem eager to attack or defend potential nominees based

1:57:20 to 1:57:40( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: on ideological grounds or even specific issues. mr. president, i see little value in this o and ideal speculation. we must be careful in our approach to such an important tafnlg i call upon the white house to gives a nominee who

1:57:41 to 1:58:03( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: will provide diversity to the court and ensure that each ruling is informed by life experiences as well as sound lega reasoning. history have been drawn from the

1:58:04 to 1:58:25( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: federal bench, private life, academia and even office. it is these independent leaders that president must now turn some will

1:58:26 to 1:58:48( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: nominee will be prone political bias and judicial activism. we must such claims. certainly it is right to propose -- oppose tallet to legislate on the bench.

1:58:49 to 1:59:09( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: the supreme court must be bound by law and weight of precedent. justices must respect our constitution and remain on all matters. but too often we mistakenly are insensitive to impartialities. we cannot afford to choose a clear record at the expense of

1:59:10 to 1:59:30( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: clear judgment. decisions such as brown v. board of ecation display compassion, not actiism. roe v. wade stood on principle, not on ideology. some call it activism; i call it courage. our judicial history is full of these independent decisions and

1:59:31 to 1:59:52( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: we should demand such strength and integrity from every jurist who we place on the bench. after all, without any kind of courage, itself would hardly exist as we know it. marbury v. madison was a landmark ruling that forever altered the role of the courts.

1:59:53 to 2:00:13( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: it established judicial review and laid the groundwork for almost every decision in the last two centuries. we must oppose jurists who would overreach, but we will be well-served to find a candidate with the integrity to draw on his or her god-given sense of

2:00:14 to 2:00:34( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: empathy and personal life experiences. mr. president, above all, we must ensure that he or she will bring diversity to the supreme court. i encourage the is president give serious consideration to name a woman of color to the high court. diversity of race diversity of background, diversity of judicial philosophy

2:00:35 to 2:00:56( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: -- all o bring new views and experience to the supreme court. i would encourage healthy debate among its members, bring perspective to each ruling. any there are many of us in this chamber -- knows that finding legal truth is not easy.

2:00:57 to 2:01:18( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: few issues are black and white. judges must shift through shades of gray to make decisions. legal truth arises from this dialogue from different perspectives and opinions. the shape of the supreme court, we seek to build debate, justice souter throughout his

2:01:19 to 2:01:39( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: tenure on the supreme court, has given thoughtful voice to the principle of fairness, equality and the importance of precedent. he's also been a consistent advocate of a philosophy ofll philosophies which value unique er techives and inclusive debate.

2:01:40 to 2:02:01( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: as this brilliant jurist moves into retiremt, we must embrace his legacy by confirming someone that will bring integrity and powerful intellect to the bench. we must ensure that he or she is worthy to be placed among the highest minds in america. as a former attorney general of illinois, i can speak to the impact that the supreme court

2:02:02 to 2:02:22( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: has on ordinary citizens. it is a testament to the enduring strength of our democracy that my individuals appointed and confirmed by representatives of the people stand squarely at the crossroads of justice. they

2:02:23 to 2:02:43( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: difficult legal grounds in to distinguish right from wrong and to guard the sanctity of the constitution. when any five of these individuals come togher to hand out a ruling, it becomes the law of the land and there is no implicit threat of violence

2:02:44 to 2:03:04( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: to back up these decisions. mere written opinion. that's the wonder of this thing called a democracy and the power of this court. this is a rare, remarkable opportunity for this body to have a voice i highest court in the nation, a court whose action will continue

2:03:05 to 2:03:25( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: to reverberate across the legal landscape for future generations of americans, with the full weight of this serious task resting on our shoulders, i ask my fellow senators to ignore the media's idle speculation. now it is time to exercise our constitutional powers of advise and consent.

2:03:26 to 2:03:47( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: the urgent need of the american people demand that we think -- outsi we must confirm an individual who is perspective can bring fresh perspective. i urge my colleag with me in communicating to president obama that we will sett mr. president, thank you. and i yield the floor.

2:03:48 to 2:03:59( Edit History Discussion )

Roland Burris: i notice the quorum, mr. president. the presiding ficer: the clerk will call the roll.