Pallone Statement on the Retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'connor

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today in response to the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O' Connor.

"As our nation's first female Justice on the Supreme Court, Justice O'Connor paved the way for women in our judicial system. Justice O'Connor should be commended for her remarkable service on a Court in which she was the deciding voice in many of the critical issues of our day. Justice O'Connor will be remembered for the strong moderate voice she brought to the court for 24 years.

"Justice O'Connor was a consensus pick for the Court in 1981 when she received 99 votes in the U.S. Senate. I'm hopeful that President Bush will follow President Reagan's lead and consult with congressional leaders of both parties before he chooses a nominee. I'd like to see the president put forward a mainstream nominee in the tradition of Justice O'Connor who will protect the rights of Americans on the Supreme Court."