29 September 2005

NAPAWF’s Statement on
Confirmation of Roberts for Supreme Court

The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is extremely disappointed at the confirmation of Judge John G. Roberts, Jr. as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  As the only national, multi-issue Asian Pacific American (APA) women’s advocacy organization, NAPAWF continues to find Judge Roberts to be unreceptive toward women’s rights, the right of privacy, civil rights, and a severe threat to the hard-won protections and rights of APA women. 

One of the goals of the Senate confirmation hearings was to provide the American public with insight into Judge Roberts’s views and philosophies on issues of importance to APA women and families, including abortion, Title IX, and affirmative action.  Yet, throughout the four days of hearings, Judge Roberts continuously avoided the majority of questions posed to him, provided no substantial information about his values or beliefs and failed to offer any reason to question the statements he made and the positions he supported during his role as Deputy Solicitor General for the first Bush Administration, his tenure with the Reagan administration, and his role as a Judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.  He made no further effort to reassure the American public that he would uphold the right of privacy under the Constitution or protect women from discrimination.  For these reasons, NAPAWF remains concerned that his confirmation as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will result in a significant ideological shift of the Court. 

With the resignation of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, NAPAWF strongly urges President Bush to take this opportunity and nominate a woman or person of color who has a demonstrated commitment to protecting and expanding the progress that has been made on fundamental rights, constitutional protections, and individual liberties.  The Supreme Court, the highest court of our nation, should reflect the diversity of our communities and strive to protect the rights that are guaranteed in our Constitution. 

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NAPAWF is dedicated to forging a progressive movement for social and economic justice and the political empowerment of Asian and Pacific American women and girls. NAPAWF unites our diverse communities through organizing, education and advocacy.

http://www.napawf.org