Justice Sandra Day O’Connor To Testify Before Leahy-Chaired Senate Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, July 10, 2012) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 25, at a hearing entitled, “Ensuring Judicial Independence Through Civics Education,” Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday.

The hearing comes 31 years after Justice O’Connor’s historic nomination was announced by President Ronald Reagan. O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the high court, has made civics education her focus since retiring in 2006. The Judiciary Committee’s hearing will highlight her work on this issue, particularly through her iCivics organization that educates youth, and how it relates to an independent judicial branch of government.

Justice O’Connor’s appearance before the Committee follows a hearing held last year featuring Justice Stephen Breyer and Justice Antonin Scalia. The justices testified during the first week of the Supreme Court’s 2011-2012 term, and they offered testimony about the important role judges play in American democracy. While it is rare for justices to appear before the Judiciary Committee after taking their seats on the bench, Chairman Leahy has made these special hearings a priority during his tenure beginning with Justice Anthony Kennedy, who testified about judicial security and independence in 2007.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building.  The hearing will be webcast live online on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s website.

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July 10, 2012

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE HEARING

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing entitled “Ensuring Judicial Independence Through Civics Education” for Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

By order of the Chairman.

Witness List

Hearing before the

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

on

“Ensuring Judicial Independence Through Civics Education”

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216

10:00 a.m.

The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor

Retired Associate Justice

The Supreme Court of the United States

Washington, DC

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