'It's alarming that a Supreme Court justice is telling the American people we have no place bringing issues of fairness to the court,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - During a speech at Chapman Law School yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was reported by The Associated Press as telling the students he was "saddened to see the Supreme Court deciding moral issues not addressed in the Constitution, such as abortion, gay rights and the death penalty."

"It's alarming that a Supreme Court justice is telling the American people we have no place bringing issues of fairness to the court," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Throughout our nation's history, the Supreme Court is the very place Americans rely upon as the final authority on cases of unfair and unjust treatment. For a Supreme Court Justice to say he is saddened because the court is playing its vital role in protecting all Americans is irresponsible, and calls into question his willingness to decide all cases that come before him on their merit."

Solmonese added, "Given the fact that President Bush has expressed his desire to appoint 'conservative' judges in the mold of Justices Scalia and Thomas, these remarks by Justice Scalia only further deepen our concern with Judge Roberts' nomination."

When President George Bush first came to office after his election in 2000, he was quoted in major publications across the country as saying,

"What we need are some good conservative judges on the courts." Later on during his tenure, he was again quoted as saying Justices Anthony Scalia and Clarence Thomas were his "two favorite" justices on the Supreme Court. Last week, HRC announced its opposition to the nomination of Judge John R. Roberts to the Supreme Court.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.