Senator Lisa Murkowski Comments on Justice O'Connor Retirement

SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI COMMENTS ON JUSTICE O'CONNOR RETIREMENT

Murkowski Personally Thanked Justice O'Connor This Morning

Senator Lisa Murkowski today issued the following statement on the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

"I join with my colleagues and my fellow Americans in expressing my deep appreciation to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for her twenty-four years of service on the Supreme Court.

"This morning, as I was about to leave for Alaska for the July recess, I ran into Justice O'Connor at Reagan National Airport. I thanked her for her service and congratulated her on her retirement but said that she would be greatly missed. I promised that we would work hard to get the right person confirmed but that she could not be replaced - her contribution to the country is remarkable.

"When we talked, she reminded me how much she loves Alaska and the she had just been there for the Alaska Bar Convention. She was the woman who first encouraged me to push the limits and personally encouraged me to aim high.

"Much will be written in the coming days about Justice O'Connor's background and about her trailblazing as the country's first female Supreme Court Justice. But, it is a testament to O'Connor and to all women that her legacy as a Justice will go far beyond gender. For her time on the Court, Justice O'Connor will be remembered as an independent jurist who established a legacy of fairness, moderation and devotion to the public good.

"As we move into the confirmation process, it is now the job of President Bush and the Senate to nominate and confirm someone of Justice O'Connor's caliber and commitment to the bench."

http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=240115