NCJW Deeply Disappointed by Gonzales Confirmation
February 3, 2005, Washington, DC, -- In response to today's Senate vote (60-36) confirming Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General, NCJW President Marsha Atkind issued the following statement:
"The National Council of Jewish Women is deeply disappointed by the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. His responses throughout the confirmation process with regard to the US torture policy and his views on civil and individual rights demonstrate that he is unfit to assume the leadership of the Justice Department. And NCJW continues to be concerned about the role he played in vetting federal judicial nominees."It is very disturbing to know that a majority of Senators were willing to overlook both his troubling record as White House Counsel and his evasive testimony at confirmation hearings. We applaud those courageous Senators who voted against this confirmation.
"Our nation needs an Attorney General for all of the people, one committed to the rule of law and the constitution. We hope that Judge Gonzales approaches his new role as Attorney General with fairness, objectivity, and above all reverence and respect to the laws of our nation."
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.
Contact:
Sammie Moshenberg
202 296 2588; sammie@ncjwdc.org