Tribute comes as first female Supreme Court justice nears her 80th birthday
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Sandra Day O’Connor, the Arizona ranch girl who was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, unanimously passed the House today.
“Justice O’Connor embodies the American tradition of hard work, perseverance and rugged individualism,” said Giffords. “Her long career as a public servant is a living testament to the great things that can happen when those traits become guiding principles.”
Passage of the resolution – in a 416-to-0 vote – comes during National Women’s History Month and just two weeks before O’Connor celebrates her 80th birthday on March 26.
“This resolution is a small birthday gift to a daughter of Arizona from the grateful nation she proudly served for so many years,” said Giffords. “It will help us ensure that Justice O’Connor’s extraordinary contributions as an attorney, state lawmaker and judge will inspire us for generations to come.”
Among the bill’s 24 co-sponsors are five members of Arizona’s House delegation: Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva, Ed Pastor, Ann Kirkpatrick, Harry Mitchell and John Shadegg.
“Justice O’Connor is an inspiration to us all,” said Shadegg. “Her service to our nation on the Supreme Court and her shining example for women in our state and everywhere goes unparalleled. Arizona takes pride in Justice O’Connor’s accomplishments, and those of the entire O’Connor family. Today, we thank Justice O’Connor for her service to our nation and are proud that she is part of Arizona’s long history of national leaders.”
Said Mitchell: “Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has had a long, honorable and commendable history of public service at the local, state and federal levels. During her 24 terms on the Supreme Court she showed a steadfastly independent voice – an Arizonan voice. Her rural roots and Arizona pragmatism have served her well in all of her roles, imparting a steady wisdom and a true commitment to justice. After retiring from the court in 2006, Justice O’Connor has continued to bring her knowledge, experience and independence to benefit the American people, serving as a member of the Iraq Study Group appointed by the U.S. Congress.”
Kirkpatrick said, “I am honored to have the chance to recognize the incredible accomplishments of Sandra Day O’Connor. Her ground-breaking achievements as a public servant, legislator, judge and the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court have made her an inspiration and a role model to Arizona’s young men and women.”
Giffords noted that O’Connor’s active involvement in public life did not end with her retirement from the Supreme Court in 2006.
“Just a few weeks ago, Justice O’Connor inspired Tucsonans with her opening remarks at an exhibit of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence,” Giffords said. “Her wise words reminded us that one of our nation’s founding documents is as relevant today as it was two centuries ago.”
“And,” Giffords continued, “she has further enhanced her national reputation through her tireless work to preserve judicial independence. Justice O’Connor is a passionate and articulate spokeswoman for the selection of judges by nonpartisan commissions. Efforts such as this tell us that Justice O’Connor truly cares not only about what kind society we are, but what kind of society we become.”
The text of the resolution is below.
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1141
Honoring the accomplishments of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 4, 2010
Ms. GIFFORDS (for herself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona, Mr. MITCHELL, Mr. PASTOR of Arizona, and Mr. SHADEGG) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
RESOLUTION
Honoring the accomplishments of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor was born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas and spent most of her childhood on her family's ranch, the Lazy B, located in the high deserts outside of Duncan, Arizona;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor graduated magna cum laude from Stanford University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, and graduated in the top three of her class at Stanford University Law School in 1952;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor married John J. O'Connor III, a fellow Stanford Law student, in December 1952 on the Lazy B Ranch and raised three children with him in Paradise Valley, Arizona;
Whereas after practicing law in Frankfurt, Germany, and Phoenix, Arizona, Sandra Day O'Connor began her career in public service as the Arizona Assistant Attorney General in 1965;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Arizona State Senate in 1969 and was subsequently re-elected;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor rose to many leadership positions during her 6 years in the legislature, including as the first woman State Senate majority leader in the United States;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor was elected judge for Maricopa County Superior Court in 1975;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, the State's second-highest court, by Governor Bruce Babbitt in 1979;
Whereas Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 to serve as the first woman on the United States Supreme Court, which was swiftly approved by the Senate by unanimous consent, with the strong support of Arizona Senators Barry Goldwater and Dennis DeConcini;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as a United States Supreme Court Justice by Chief Justice Warren Burger on September 25, 1981, commencing her 24 terms on the Supreme Court, a career distinguished by her centrist role and commitment to uphold the law and the Constitution;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor's support for the proposed Equal Rights Amendment further strengthened her role as a mentor and leader for women of all generations;
Whereas, on August 12, 2009, President Barack Obama awarded Sandra Day O'Connor the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to a civilian;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor has become a nationally recognized leader in the effort to preserve judicial independence through her strong support of selecting judges by nonpartisan commissions;
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor continues to honor her commitment to public service, most recently through her web-based education project, Our Courts, which strives to engage young people in civics and the democratic process; and
Whereas Sandra Day O'Connor will turn 80 years old on March 26, 2010: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the achievements and distinguished career of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and recognizes her impact as an American symbol of hard work and rugged individualism.