Confirmed that the testimony you're about to give before the committee
will be the truth, The whole truth and nothing but the truth, so
help you
I do.
At the record reflect that the judge has answered in the affirmative.
And having met that requirement. You may now proceed with your remarks.
Chairman Durban.
Ranking member, Grassley.
And distinguished members of the Judiciary Committee.
Thank you for convening this hearing and for considering my nomination.
As associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
I am humbled and honored to be here.
And I am also truly grateful for the generous introductions that
my former judicial colleague, Judge Tom Griffith and my close friend,
professor Lisa fare facts.
Have so graciously provided
I'm also very thankful for the confidence that President Biden has
placed in me.
And for the kindness that he and the first lady and the vice president
and the second gentleman have extended to me and my family.
Today will be the fourth time
That I've had the honor of appearing before this committee to be
considered for confirmation.
Over the past three weeks. I have also had the honor of meeting each
member of this committee separately, and I've met with 45 senators
in total.
Your careful attention to my nomination demonstrates your dedication
to the crucial role that the Senate plays in this constitutional
process.
And I thank you.
And while I'm on the subject of gratitude, I must also pause to reaffirm
my thanks to God.
For it is faith that sustains me at this moment.
Even prior to today, I can honestly say that my life
Has been blessed beyond measure.
The first of my many blessings is the fact that I was born in this
great nation.
A little over 50 years ago in September of 1970.
Congress had enacted to civil rights acts in the decade before and
like so many who had experienced lawful racial segregation firsthand.
My parents, Johnny and Ellery Brown left their hometown of Miami,
Florida and moved to Washington. D. C to experience new freedom.
When I was born here in Washington, my parents were public school
teachers and to express both pride in their heritage and hope for
the future. They gave me an African name.
Catan Gee, on Eureka, which they were told means lovely one.
My parents taught me.
That, unlike the many barriers that they had had to face growing
up
My path was clearer.
So that if I worked hard, and I believed in myself in America, I
could do anything or be anything I wanted to be.
Like so many families in this country, they worked long hours and
sacrificed to provide their Children every opportunity to reach their
God given potential.
My parents have been married for almost 54 years, and they're here
with me today.
I cannot possibly thank them enough for everything they've done for
me.
I love you, Mom and dad.
My father in particular bears responsibility for my interest in the
law. When I was four, we moved back to Miami so that he could be
a full time law student and we lived on the campus of the University
of Miami Law School.
During those years, my mother pulled double duty, working as the
sole breadwinner of our family while also guiding and inspiring four
year old me.
My very earliest memories are of watching my father study.
He had his stack of law books on the kitchen table while I sat across
from him with my stack of coloring books.
My parents also instilled in me and my younger brother could Taj
the importance of public service.
After graduating from Howard University, CA Taj started out as a
police officer following two of our uncles.
After the September 11th attacks on our country, Taj volunteered
for the army and eventually became an infantry officer serving two
tours of duty in the Middle East.
Qatada's here today, providing his love and support as always.
And speaking of unconditional love. I would like to introduce you
to my husband of 25 years, Dr Patrick Jackson.
I have no doubt that without him by my side from the very beginning
of this incredible professional journey, none of this would have
been possible.
We met in college more than three decades ago, and since then
He's been the best husband, father and friend I could ever imagine.
Patrick, I love you.
William Patrick's identical twin brother is here as well, along with
his wonderful wife, Dana.
Also hear from Park City, Utah, are Patrick's older brother Guardian.
His wife, Natalie.
And last, but certainly not least.
My very dear in laws. The matriarch and patriarch of the Jackson
family, Pamela and Gardner Jackson have traveled here from Boston
to be with me today.
I'm saving a special moment in this introduction for my daughter's
Dalia and Leila.
Girls. I know it has not been easy as I've tried to navigate the
challenges of juggling my career and motherhood.
And I fully admit that I did not always get the balance, right?
But I hope that you've seen that with hard work, determination and
love. It can be done.
I am so looking forward to seeing what each of you chooses to do
with your amazing lives in this incredible country.
I love you so much.
There are so many others who are not here today but whom I need to
acknowledge. I have a large extended family on both sides. They are
watching from Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Connecticut, New
York.
Massachusetts, Colorado and beyond.
I also have incredible friends. Three of my college roommates came
here today to support me.
And I have so many other boosters from Miami Palmetto Senior High
School, Harvard undergrad Harvard Law School and all throughout my
personal and professional life.
I've also had extraordinary mentors. Like my high school debate,
coach Fran Berger. May she rest in peace.
She invested fully in me, including taking me to Harvard. The first
I'd ever really thought of it.
To enter a speech competition.
Mrs Berger believed in me.
And in turn, I believed in myself.
In the category of great mentors. It was also my great good fortune
to have had the chance to clerk for three brilliant jurists.
U. S District Judge Patti Sarah's U. S Court of Appeals Judge Bruce
Celia.
And Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
These extraordinary people were exceptional role models.
Justice. Breyer, in particular, not only gave me the greatest job
that any young lawyer could ever hope to have
But he also exemplifies what it means to be a Supreme Court justice
of the highest level of skill and integrity, Civility.
And Grace.
It is extremely humbling to be considered for Justice Breyer seat
and I know that I could never fill his shoes.
But if confirmed
I would hope to carry on his spirit.
On the day of his Supreme Court nomination.
Justice, Breyer said, quote.
What is law supposed to do?
Seen as a whole.
It is supposed to allow all people
All people.
To live together in a society where they have so many different views
so many different needs.
To live together in a way that is more harmonious. That is better.
So that they can work productively together.
End quote.
I could not have said it better myself.
Members of this committee.
If I am confirmed, I commit to you that I will work productively.
To support and defend the constitution.
A miss grand experiment of American democracy that has endured over
these past 246 years.
I have been a judge for nearly a decade now, and I take that responsibility
and my duty to be independent, very seriously.
I decide cases from a neutral posture. I evaluate the facts and I
interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me.
Without fear or favor.
Consistent with my judicial oath.
I know that my role as a judge is a limited one.
That the Constitution empowers me only to decide cases and controversies
that are properly presented.
And I know that my judicial role is further constrained by careful
adherence to precedent.
Now and preparing for these hearings. You may have read some of my
more than 570 written decisions, and you may have also noticed that
my opinions tend to be on the long side.
That is because I also believe in transparency.
That people should know precisely what I think and the basis for
my decision.
And all of my professional experiences, including my work as a public
defender and as a trial judge.
Have instilled in me the importance of having each litigant know
that the judge in their case has heard them.
Whether or not their arguments prevail in court.
During this hearing. I hope that you will see
How much I love our country.
And the Constitution.
And the rights that make us free.
I stand on the shoulders of so many who have come before me.
Including Judge Constance Baker, Motley.
Who was the first African American woman to be appointed to the federal
bench, and with whom I share a birthday.
And like Judge Motley
I have dedicated my career to ensuring that the words engraved on
the front of the Supreme Court building equal justice under law.
Are a reality.
And not just an ideal.
Thank you.
For this historic chance
to join the highest court.
To work with brilliant colleagues to inspire future generations.
And to ensure
Liberty and justice.