Guest opinion: Confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
by John Voorhees
n his autobiography, The Vantage Point, President Lyndon B. Johnson commented on his historic nomination of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black male to the Supreme Court:
âI chose [Marshall] for [his] competence, wisdom, and courage, not for the color of [his] skin. But, I also deeply believed that with [this] appointment, Negro mothers could look at their children and hope with good reason that someday their sons and daughters might reach the highest offices their government could offer.â (p. 179).
In 1967, Justice Marshall was confirmed by a bipartisan Senate (67-11). Three years later, Judge Ketanji Brown-Jackson was born to two remarkable teachers and community leaders, Johnny and Ellery Brown. Perhaps bolstered by the ratification of President Lyndon B. Johnsonâs trailblazing nomination of Justice Marshall, they could realistically have viewed their immensely talented daughter as a candidate for the nationâs highest court someday. Like Justice Marshall, who went to Howard University, both of Brown-Jacksonâs parents went to a historically Black College and University. Both became leaders in the field of education. So, Judge Brown-Jackson had not only love and guidance from her parents but also a realistic role model in Justice Thurgood Marshall and, as importantly, from President Lyndon B. Johnson .
In 1967, when Marshall was appointed, the chief impediments were from Democrats, not Republicans: 10 of the 11 ânoâ votes came from Democrats. Today, we might think long and hard why the ground has shifted since then and we should celebrate the change that has occurred, both in the Democratic party, but also in the trajectory of our countryâs views on racial justice; we should celebrate that, however slowly, our country finally is beginning to recognize that all of its people are critically-needed assets, regardless of their ancestry, religion, or color...
Judge Ketanji Brown-Jacksonâs opponents, like the eleven ânoâ votes against Justice Marshall, are pushing back on the nomination of a Black woman to the Supreme Court. Biden has been a courageous thought leader to look forward and to send a clear message, like Lyndon B. Johnson , to all those parents whose children are growing up with the hope of someday reaching the highest office. Why wait any longer? Sandra Day OâConnerâs parents waited patiently too, for the first woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court, a dream that became a reality when Ronald Regan nominated her in 1981 She was 51 at the time, just as Judge Ketanji Brown-Jackson is, right now. And, if we view Judge Ketanji Brown-Jacksonâs nomination to be any different than Justice OâConnorâs historic nomination in 1981, we need to think long and hard about that too...
Clerking for experienced judges, including District Judge Patti B. Saris, First Circuit Judge Bruce M. Selya, and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer developed Judge Brown-Jacksonâs judicial temperament, her open mind, and her balanced approach to decision-making, all of which are essential ingredients of judicial greatness. As her testimony before Congress reveals, she has the inherent and well-developed personal strengths that President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized in Thurgood Marshall when he said Judge Marshall had âcompetence, wisdom and courage.â These skills are evident with Judge Jackson. And, like Justice Marshall, she will serve with distinction and dignity. (Read More)
News Releases
Gov. Spencer J. Cox appoints Judge Diana Hagen to Utah Supreme Court
Today, Gov. Spencer J. Cox named Utah Court of Appeals Judge Diana Hagen as his choice to serve as a Utah Supreme Court Justice. The governorâs nominations are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
âJudge Hagenâs distinguished career as an appellate court judge and federal prosecutor as well as her leadership and service in numerous professional and community groups have well prepared her for this moment,â Gov. Cox said. âWe are delighted she is willing to take on a new challenge and know she will serve the people of Utah with integrity.â (Read More)
Utah Senate requests public comment on Utah Supreme Court nominee
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Diana Hagen, current Court of Appeals Judge, who Gov. Spencer J. Cox appointed to serve as a Justice on the Utah Supreme Court.
Those who desire to comment on the individual appointed should contact Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee staff, Jerry Howe at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Utah State Capitol, House Building, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondentâs name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More)
Romney, colleagues request removal of Russia from UN Human Rights Council due to war crimes
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined his colleagues, led by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in sending a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield requesting that she introduce a resolution at the United Nations (UN) to remove Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also signed the letter.
âIn February, Russia launched a massive military invasion into the free and sovereign nation of Ukraine, resulting in thousands of causalities, including that of children, pregnant women, health workers, journalists, and countless others,â wrote the senators. âWe have seen the indiscriminate shelling of apartment buildings, hospitals, and schools and the slaughter of fleeing civilians. The multitude of crimes committed by the Russian Federation, and by Vladimir Putin himself, demonstrates that the Russian government has no intention of upholding international human rights.â
âAccording to the membership rules of the UNHRC, states engaging in a pattern of gross and systemic abuses can be removed by a two-thirds vote of the UN General Assembly,â the senators continued. âWe implore you to introduce a resolution in the UN General Assembly to call for the removal of the Russian Federation from the UNHRC immediately.â (Read More)
Romney meets with Supreme Court nominee Judge Jackson
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Presidentâs nominee to serve as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States:
âJudge Jackson and I had a wide-ranging discussion about her experience and qualifications. Her dedication to public service and her family are obvious, and I enjoyed our meeting. I appreciate the time she spent answering my questions, which was helpful as I continue my review of her record and testimony.â
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