WASHINGTON, JULY 19, 2005-- The Heritage Foundation's Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, Chairman Edwin Meese III, Director Todd Gaziano and Senior Legal Fellow Paul Rosenzweig, tonight issued the following statement on John G. Roberts, President Bush's new Supreme Court nominee:

"President Bush promised the American people that he would nominate Supreme Court justices who would not legislate from the bench and would be in the mold of Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.

"He has fulfilled that promise tonight, with the selection of a judge of unquestionable integrity and proven fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.

"In addition, John Roberts brings a wealth of valuable experience beyond his years on the bench that will be helpful to the Supreme Court's deliberations. Indeed, Roberts's life experiences make him a uniquely well-qualified nominee for the high court.

"As a former principal deputy solicitor general, associate White House counsel and other positions spanning two administrations, Roberts has a keen knowledge of the government and the federal justice system. As a distinguished private practitioner and Supreme Court advocate, Roberts also understands how the law affects the lives of ordinary Americans and our productive enterprises.

"We are proud to have worked with him during his time in government and when he was a private practitioner at Hogan & Hartson. We are confident his service on the Supreme Court will be a distinguished one that will make all Americans proud.

"The president has done his duty with great care and promptness. Now, it's the Senate's turn. The American people will rightly demand that senators conduct themselves expeditiously and with civility as they carry out their constitutional 'advice and consent' responsibilities.

"We are confident that they will do so to allow the new justice to take his seat on the bench by the first Monday of October."