Statement of Alexi Giannoulias on the Planned Retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens

Statement

In light of today's news regarding the planned retirement of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias released the following statement:

"Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has had a remarkable career and served his country honorably. A son of Chicago, he has made all of us in Illinois proud and left an indelible and important mark on American jurisprudence.

In his nearly 35 years on the bench, he has pronounced on issues that go to the very core of our nation's character. His work, from Bush v. Gore to his most recent, passionate dissent in Citizens United, showcases a profound respect for our democratic institutions, and serve as a clarion call for their protection. His eloquent views on military tribunals and constitutional rights have been stirring reminders that our most basic freedoms must be championed, even in times of war and rapid technological advancement.

It is my hope that in choosing his successor, President Obama selects an individual not unlike Justice Stevens, someone who matches great intellect with a keen sense of fairness and decency. Particularly as the Court continues its pronounced rightward lurch, the American people need jurists in the mold of Stevens, Blackmun, and Brennan - judges who will balance a fair, reasoned, and responsible interpretation of the law with a pragmatic appreciation that their work affects the very fabric of American life.

Furthermore, given the Senate's unique role in the selection of a Supreme Court justice, I encourage my opponent, Republican Congressman Mark Kirk, to state publicly the characteristics he would look for in a nominee, which he declined to do during the confirmation process for now-Justice Sonia Sotomayor. In particular, does he agree with his high-profile surrogate John McCain that the ideal Supreme Court Justices are John Roberts and Samuel Alito?"

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