President Nominates Sam Alito to Supreme Court

This morning the President nominated U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Third Circuit, Samuel Alito, to the Supreme Court of the United States.  This is an exceptional choice.  In case after case and issue after issue, Judge Alito has agreed with the positions that we have been advocating around the country on a range of issues including abortion and religious liberty.  Sam Alito deserves a dignified process for Senate confirmation.  Judge Alito is a scholar and one who understands his role as judge and will not legislate from the bench.  We have posted in the In Focus section a detailed memorandum that we prepared regarding Judge Alitos background.  Ive included here brief background information on Judge Alito.

 

JUDGE SAMUEL A. ALITO, JR., BACKGROUND 

Judge Alito Is Well Qualified To Serve As Associate Justice Of The U.S. Supreme Court.  Judge Alito has the keen intellect, impartiality and temperament, sound legal judgment and highest integrity necessary in a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

      Judge Alito Is Committed To The Rule Of Law And Understands The Role Of A Judge In Our Society.  Judge Alito has a record as a federal judge who strictly interprets the law.  Judge Alito rules based on application of existing laws and specific facts of the case before him.  Judge Alito does not legislate from the bench or create new policies based on personal opinion.

      Judge Alito Personifies The Qualities President Bush Said He Would Seek In A Supreme Court Justice.  Judge Alito has shown a mastery of the law, a deep commitment to justice and equality, and great personal character. 

      Judge Alito Has Been Called The Legal Professions Best With Exemplary Judicial Qualifications.  Judge Alito has a record of professional achievement and excellence.  When Judge Alito was appointed to the federal bench in 1990, the New Jersey Law Journal wrote of his appointment: Mr. Alito is one of our professions best: His commitment to public service is deep and his qualifications for his new office exemplary.

Judge Alito Has Extensive Legal Experience.  During his nearly 30 years of public service, Judge Alito has handled difficult and complex legal issues at the highest levels of the legal profession.  His legal experience, as a litigator and judge, spans both the civil and criminal spheres. 

 

      Judge Alito Began His Distinguished Career With Approximately 15 Years Of Service At The U.S. Department Of Justice where he served as:

o       Assistant U.S. Attorney in the appellate division arguing cases before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

o       Assistant to the Solicitor General arguing 12 cases on behalf of the federal government in the U.S. Supreme Court.

o       Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel providing constitutional advice for the Executive Branch.

o       U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey where he is best known for prosecuting white collar and environmental crimes, drug trafficking, organized crime, and violations of civil rights. 

      The U.S. Senate Unanimously Confirmed Judge Alito To The Third Circuit Court Of Appeals.  In 1990, President George H. Bush nominated Judge Alito to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.  The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Alito by voice vote.

      Judge Alito Has Served With Distinction On The Third Circuit Court Of Appeals For 15 Years.  Judge Alito has participated in thousands of appeals and authored hundreds of opinions.  Judge Alito has argued 12 Supreme Court cases and argued at least two dozen court of appeals cases and handled at least 50 others.  Judge Alitos constitutional decisions reflect attention to the properly restrained role of a judge.  On questions of statutory interpretation, Judge Alito relies on the plain language of the statute.

      Judge Alito Has An Excellent Legal Education. Judge Alito received his bachelors degree from Princeton University and attended Yale Law School, where he served as an editor on the Yale Law Journal.  After law school, Judge Alito clerked for Judge Leonard Garth of the Third Circuit, who is now his colleague on that court.

Judge Alito Is Widely Respected For His Fairness.  Judge Alito has a reputation as an even-tempered and fair-minded judge. 

      Judge Alito Was Named One Of The Top Prosecutors In One Of The Nations Largest Federal Districts.  As the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey he showed a passionate commitment to the rule of law, and gained a reputation for being both tough and fair.

      The Almanac Of The Federal Judiciary Has Called Him Brilliant With An Excellent Demeanor.  Practitioners quoted in the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary reported that Judge Alito is courteous and quiet on the bench, and his questions are intelligent and relevant.
 

 JUDGE SAMUEL A. ALITO, JR., BIOGRAPHY

      Samuel A. Alito, Jr., was born in April, 1950, in Trenton, New Jersey.

      Alito received his bachelors degree from Princeton University and attended Yale Law School, where he served as an editor on the Yale Law Journal. 

      Alito clerked for Judge Leonard Garth of the Third Circuit, who is now his colleague on that court.

      From 1977-1980, Alito served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the appellate division, where he argued cases before the circuit court to which he was later appointed.

      From 1981-1985, Alito served as Assistant to the Solicitor General. He has argued 12 cases on behalf of the federal government in the U.S. Supreme Court and he has argued numerous others before the federal courts of appeals.

      From 1985-1987, Alito served in the Office of Legal Counsel as Deputy Assistant Attorney General where he provided constitutional advice for the Executive Branch.

      From 1987-1989, Alito served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey where he is best know for prosecuting white collar and environmental crimes, drug trafficking, organized crime, and violations of civil rights.

      Alito was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

      In 1990, President George H. Bush nominated Judge Alito to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. 

      Alito was unanimously confirmed by voice vote by the U.S. Senate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

      Judge Alito has participated in thousands of appeals and authored hundreds of opinions. 

      Judge Alito has argued 12 Supreme Court cases and argued at least two dozen court of appeals cases and handled at least 50 others.

      Alito has participated in various professional associations including the New Jersey Federal Bar Association (member of advisory board); the New Jersey State Bar Association; the American Bar Association; and the Federalist Society.

      In 1985, Alito married Martha-Ann Bomgardner, with whom he has two children.