Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledges the audience after being sworn in Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005, during ceremonies in the East Room of the White House. (Photo: White House / Krisanne Johnson)
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WASHINGTON – Christian groups lauded John G. Roberts Jr. as the new chief justice took oath into the nation's top judicial post Thursday, hours after the Senate voted 78-22 to confirm him.
"Christian Coalition is pleased that the United States Senate confirmed Chief Justice Roberts by such a wide margin," said Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America, in a released statement. "We believe that Chief Justice Roberts is in the mold of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas and will respect the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the land, and this is what President Bush promised during his presidential campaigns."
The President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Dr. Richard Land, praised Roberts as one who possesses "the judicial philosophy, intellect and dedication to be one of the great chief justices in our history."
As Senate Democrats were evenly split, Spencer Abraham, Co-Chairman of the Committee for Justice, said in a statement released Thursday, "Despite liberal interest groups' efforts to turn the confirmation into another overheated showdown, John Roberts' obvious excellence led to comfortable confirmation, which proves that confrontation and discord is not inevitable."
After Roberts’ confirmation, Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, the longest serving member currently on the Supreme Court administered the oath of office to the new chief justice in a White House ceremony during the swearing-in ceremony at the White House, where family members and all seven current high court justices were present to witness.
Roberts accepted the responsibility of "supporting and defending the Constitution, and bearing true faith and allegiance to it.
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"That is the oath that I just took," the new chief justice said after reciting the oath
"I will try to ensure, in the discharge of my responsibilities, that with the help of my colleagues, I can pass on to my children's generation a charter of self-government as strong and as vibrant as the one that Chief Justice Rehnquist passed on to us," he added.
The day of the confirmation both celebrated Roberts and paid tribute to the late William H. Rehnquist, as Press Secretary Scott McClellan stated during a press briefing just after the Senate vote. Rehnquist died earlier this month after serving in the high court for nearly 19 years.
"This confirmation is also a victory for the nominee, President Bush, and, most of all, the U.S. Senate," said Abraham. "Finally, it is a victory for the U.S. Supreme Court which will be led into the 21st century by a brilliant, principled Chief Justice."
President Bush offered his note of confidence at the ceremony, stating, "As Judge Roberts prepares to lead the judicial branch of government, all Americans can be confident that the 17th Chief Justice of the United States will be prudent in exercising judicial power, firm in defending judicial independence, and above all, a faithful guardian of the Constitution."
Bringing attention to the American people who offered their encouragement and support as well as prayers, Roberts concluded his post-ceremony remarks with thankfulness and a request for further prayers.
“Over the past 10 weeks, many people who I did not know came up to me and offered encouragement and support,” he said. “Many of them told me that I and my family was in their prayers and in their hopes.”
“I want to thank all of those people. I will need, in the months and years ahead, that encouragement and those prayers.”
President Bush now looks to fill the second Supreme Court vacancy as he is expected to soon announce his nominee for the replacement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who announced her retirement in July.
