But 24 hours later, President Bush turned his back on Dr. King’s legacy of fighting for civil rights and justice for all by appointing Charles Pickering to serve as a federal judge on the prestigious Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Pickering has been rejected in two consecutive sessions of Congress because of Senators’ deep concerns over Pickering’s record in civil rights cases, including voting rights and employment discrimination cases. And senators were rightly horrified by Judge Pickering’s extraordinary efforts to reduce the sentence of an individual convicted of burning a cross into an interracial couple’s lawn.
Americans deserve federal judges of distinction and fairness, not judges with questionable records on civil rights. Bypassing the Senate to appoint Charles Pickering is an insult to all Americans who still believe in Dr. King’s dream.
Contact Guillermo Meneses 202-637-5018
