Lawyers'
Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
For
Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
January
20 ,2006
Lawyers’ Committee Board Members Submit Testimony
to Judiciary Committee in Opposition to Samuel
Alito
Nomination
(Washington, DC) – Board Members of the Lawyers’
Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (“Lawyers’
Committee”) reiterated their opposition to Judge
Samuel Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court
in written testimony submitted to the Senate Judiciary
Committee.
The testimony notes that since last week’s confirmation
hearing, “[w]hat has been added to the public record
about Judge Alito does not reduce or mitigate the concerns
that motivate our opposition to his confirmation.”
“Judge Alito’s responses to the questions
raised during the confirmation hearing failed to dispel
our previously stated concerns in the areas of affirmative
action, employment discrimination, and Judge Alito’s
association with the group Concerned Alumni of Princeton,”
said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers’
Committee.
For example:
- Affirmative
Action/Diversity - When asked about the Grutter
decision, Judge Alito failed to affirm that he believes
diversity is a compelling governmental interest.
In addition, Judge Alito never mentioned during
his testimony the importance of race-conscious measures
in attempting to address this nation's shameful
history of racial discrimination.
- Employment
Discrimination - During his 15 years on the bench
and participation in thousands of cases, Judge Alito
has never written an employment discrimination opinion
in favor of an African American on the merits of
their race claim. Judge Alito attempted to downplay
this point by referencing five cases where he was
supposedly supportive of race-based claims. However,
our research revealed that these five cases do not
support the argument made by Judge Alito and his
supporters.
- Concerned
Alumni of Princeton -During the hearing, Judge Alito
disassociated himself from the controversial alumni
group that was against the admission of women and
minorities to the university. Senators continue
to perceive a credibility gap in response to Judge
Alito's claim to not remember joining the group
and his subsequent explanation that he joined in
protest to Princeton's ROTC policy.
The
Board Members of the Lawyers’ Committee fear
that if Judge Alito is confirmed, his addition to
the Supreme Court will come to be regarded as a turning
point, diminishing our nation’s dedication to
overcoming its tragic legacy of racial injustice.
We urge Senators who value the protection of civil
rights, and effective measures for the full participation
of people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, to
vote against cloture and to vote in opposition to
the nomination of Judge Alito.
Click
here to view Testimony
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