Justice Roberts was appointed by George W. Bush in 2005 after Chief Justice William Rehnquist died. Roberts is the youngest person on the court. Roberts grew up in Indiana and was very active in high school (including choir, newspaper, drama as well as captain of the football team) before attending Harvard Law. During his confirmation hearings, Roberts compared the role of a judge to an umpire, a comparison some say does not hold up in practice.
- Justice Roberts was appointed by George W. Bush in 2005 after Chief Justice William Rehnquist died. Roberts is the youngest person on the court. Roberts grew up in Indiana and was very active in high school (including choir, newspaper, drama as well as captain of the football team) before attending Harvard Law. During his confirmation hearings, Roberts compared the role of a judge to an umpire, a comparison some say does not hold up in practice.
- At 89, the bow-tie wearing Justice Stevens is the oldest justice on the Supreme Court and the longest-serving member, having been appointed in 1975. Stevens grew up in a wealthy family in Chicago before earning the Bronze Star in the Navy in WWII. After the war ended, Stevens attended Northwestern University Law School. Appointed as a moderate Republican, Stevens decisions have grown more liberal as the rest of the Court leans conservative.
- Raised a Roman Catholic in New Jersey, Justice Scalia (or Nino to friends and family) is a confrontational, dynamic figure. After attending public school in Queens, Scalia went on to attend Georgetown University and then Harvard Law School. Married in 1960, Scalia is father to nine children. Scalia is an open opponent of the Roe v. Wade decision, asserting that the Constitution does not provide a womans right to an abortion.
- Justice Kennedy was nominated by President Reagan only after his first two picks fell through. Robert Bork, Reagans first pick, was too conservative and failed to win confirmation by the Senate. Reagans second choice, Douglas Ginsburg, withdrew his name after his past casual marijuana use came to light. However, Reagans third choice in Kennedy turned out to be a good one, as both liberals and conservatives agree he is a fair-minded judge.
- The Supreme Courts only black justice, Clarence Thomas simultaneously has benefited from and opposed affirmative action measures. Positions like these exemplify the enigma of Justice Thomas. Though Thomas faced liberal opposition at his confirmation hearings, he still seemed sure to win the confirmation when Professor Anita Hill leveled accusations of sexual harassment. Ultimately, it was her word against his, and Thomas was confirmed.
- President Clintons first nomination to the Supreme Court, Ginsburg is now the only female Supreme Court justice after Sandra Day OConnors retirement in 2005. Ruths mother Celia instilled in her daughter the value of education and Ruth worked hard and excelled in school. At Harvard, Ginsburg faced a then-harsh environment for women while juggling a daughter and sick husband.
- Raised in a middle class Jewish family, Stephen Breyer married into the British upper class and gained extensive wealth. This did not change his habits, however, and he continued to use public transportation and do his own household chores. Breyer excelled in school and was accepted to both Harvard and Stanford. At Stanford, Breyer was once arrested for underage drinking but ultimately earned a scholarship to Oxford.
- The most junior justice on the Supreme Court, Justice Alito had to overcome liberal opposition to his conservative viewpoints. President George W. Bush nominated Alito after his first nominee, attorney Harriet Miers, withdrew her name after widespread criticism of her judicial inexperience. Alito, on the other hand, was considered to be intellectual and qualified. However, opponents fear his conservative ideology can be a detriment to the Court.
- If confirmed, Sotomayor will be one of two women on the court of nine justices, and she will be the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. With over a decade of experience as a Court of Appeals judge, Sotomayor has proved she is a competent jurist. Sotomayors parents are Puerto Rican, and she herself grew up in the Bronx housing projects. How she fits with the other Supreme Court justices remains to be seen. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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