July 1, 2005—Today, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announced her retirement after 24 terms on the bench.  This is the first time in 11 years that there has been an opening, marking it as one of the longest uninterrupted cycles in history.  O’Connor’s announcement provides President Bush an opportunity to appoint a successor.

As a sitting member of the Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee for the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-2) has a particular interest in today’s events and made the following remarks:

“Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has a long history of service to the United States of America.  As a fellow Arizonan, she served as Assistant Attorney General, majority leader of Arizona State Senate, Arizona Court of Appeals, and various other positions as a public servant.  She is a proven lifelong pioneer with her latest public role as the first female justice on the Supreme Court.   Her service under the appointment of President Ronald Reagan is greatly appreciated.  She has left a timeless mark on history.”

“Wrapped in these historic moments is a vital opportunity for President George W. Bush to appoint a superior justice who will preserve our nation’s constitution for its original meaning and intent as crafted by our founding fathers. 

“I am encouraged by the President’s work in recent weeks as he has considered potential nominees in preparation for the highly discussed possibility that a justice would retire.   I pray for his courage and wisdom.

“The liberals have many litmus tests.  The conservative litmus test is the Constitution of the United States.”

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.