MIGUEL ESTRADA: "Well-Qualified and The Embodiment of the American Dream"
Tuesday, February 11, 2003

ALEXANDRIA, VA - American Conservative Union Chairman David A. Keene today urged the U.S. Senate to vote in favor of confirmation for Miguel Estrada, President Bush's nominee to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

"Today, members of the U.S. Senate and grassroots activist groups come together in support of Miguel Estrada," said Keene. "This broad coalition of issue-advocacy groups, lobbying groups and Senators stand here in strident opposition to those Democrat members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who-despite having lost control of that Committee-continue to prevent President Bush's judicial nominees from having a day on the floor of the Senate.

"Estrada is well-qualified to serve on the federal bench and has shown himself to be a lawyer who believes judges should interpret the law, not make it.

"The embodiment of the American Dream, Estrada immigrated from Honduras at the age of 15; two years later he was accepted to Columbia College, from which he graduated Magna cum Laude. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School, in 1986, once again graduating Magna cum Laude. He also served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and as the Assistant to the Solicitor General to the United States.

"Because Estrada is Conservative, Senators Leahy and Daschle are now threatening a filibuster to prevent a vote before the entire U.S. Senate.

"To disregard qualified individuals, solely because they fail a litmus test established by extreme left-wing organizations, is an abhorrent abuse of power.

"ACU supports the nomination of Miguel Estrada and demands that Democrats stop political posturing and have a full Senate floor vote on this well-qualified nominee," concluded Keene.

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