Sen. Cornyn Hosts Press Conference On Crime

January 11, 2006

Uninvited Democrat Senators Rudely Interrupt

WASHINGTON, DC - People for the Alito Way, a coalition of more than 300 organizations supporting the confirmation of Judge Samuel A. Alito as Associate Justice to the US Supreme Court, joined leaders in the field of criminal justice for a press conference today in the Hart Senate Office Building to bolster support for Judge Alito during his confirmation hearings. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) hosted the event with former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, Commander Margot Hill, a Deputy Superintendent with the Boston Police Department, George Terwilliger, Former Deputy Attorney General, President of the DC Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 1) Louis Cannon and US Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) were in attendance.

Senator Cornyn opened by praising Judge Alito's "professional accomplishments and record of enforcing the law." The senator continued, "He's spent his entire career serving the United States of America we've heard all the testimonials of his fairness and commitment to the rule of law."

Former US Attorney General John Ashcroft noted that "we are extremely fortunate that a person with the competence and capacity was nominated to the US Supreme Court." Ashcroft also noted Judge Alito did extremely well representing the United States during his career as a prosecutor and a judge and that Alito's "willingness to abide by the rule of law" and that he's "not an inventor of the law."

Former Deputy Attorney General under President George HW Bush, George Terwilliger, said Judge Alito's "experience as a prosecutor adds tremendous diversity to the court." He also noted that Judge Alito has experience on the front lines fighting the war on terror.

Law enforcement officials showed their support for the nominee as well. Judge Alito "will be a welcome addition to the U.S. Supreme Court," said Commander Margot Hill, with the Boston Police Department. Louis Cannon of the DC Fraternal Order of Police said that he was "here to offer strong support for Judge Alito" and urged the Senate to confirm him quickly.

Congressman Trent Franks, Vice-Chairman of the House Sub-Committee on the Constitution, stated that Judge Alito "has expressed a great deal of humility" during the hearings and that "he understands the miracle of our Constitution."

The planned press event was rudely interrupted by Senate Democrats clamoring for more time in front of the cameras attacking Judge Alito's integrity. Senators Schumer, Durbin, Kennedy and Leahy used their seniority to barge in and force speakers from the microphone to repeat meaningless charges about the judge during his days as a college student almost 30 years ago.

Congressman Franks briefly addressed the disturbance in his closing remarks, "attacking an opponent and distorting their record has been a tactic for a long time that's all we've seen."

Federal Circuit Court Judge Samuel Alito was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President George W. Bush. People for the Alito Way believes in a fair hearing followed by a civil debate and a prompt vote. For more information please visit www.peopleforthealitoway.com.