 Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great pleasure to meet this morning with such distinguished law enforcement officials who have been active in the front lines of our fight against crime. I'm particularly pleased to have this opportunity to hear your views on a matter that will have a continuing impact on law enforcement and criminal justice along after my administration in the Maine's office. The nomination of Judge Robert Bort to succeed Lewis Powell as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has had a critical role in the administration of criminal justice at both the state and federal levels. Criminal cases make up one of the largest categories in the highest court's decisions. I was surprised to learn it's almost one-third of all the cases it considers. That's why when it comes to crime and the safety of our citizens it's so important for our courts to take a tough, clear-eyed look at the Constitution's purpose to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility. Judge Robert Bort, whom I nominated nearly eight weeks ago, would be such a justice. His guiding principle is one of judicial restraint. Judge Bort believes that judges should not make the laws. Their function is to interpret the laws based on the Constitution and the precedent. It's time we reassert the fundamental principle of the purpose of criminal justice is to find the truth, not to cut equivalents. The constitutional rights of the accused must be protected, but so must the rights of our law-abiding citizens. During his distinguished career in law and public service, Robert Bort has demonstrated a genuine concern for the right of our citizens to live in safe communities and a clear understanding of the problems facing today's law enforcement professions. As Solicitor General, a nation's chief legal advocate before the Supreme Court, he argued the landmark cases that upheld the constitutionality of capital punishment, a position maintained by Justice Lewis Powell in his years on the court. Last term, the constitutionality of capital punishment in cases of particularly brutal murders was narrowly reaffirmed with the support of Justice Powell, who seen Judge Bort, and would fail. It's essential that capital punishment remain on the books if we're to protect innocent lives from the tragedy of vicious criminal acts. As Solicitor General, Bob Bort also advanced common-sense readings of the Constitution that would help not hinder the search for truth in criminal trials. He argued that the Constitution was intended to assure real justice for all citizens, not to foster and never-ending sparring matches between lawyers. As a judge on one of our nation's most important appellate courts, Judge Bort has handed down tough but fair decisions that have protected the rights of victims of society as well as the rights of the accused, and our Constitution, you know, requires no less. Together we've made great strides in the war on crime. The key reason for that progress has been the appointment of tough-minded judges. In the past seven years, federal criminal sentences have increased 30 percent overall. Judge Bort's nomination is a crucial opportunity to continue one of progress in the war against crime. The Supreme Court today is closely divided on many important criminal justice issues. The support given to Judge Bort's nomination by law enforcement professionals like you and the men and women you represent can help ensure that Lewis-Parle's seat on the Supreme Court is filled by a judge who shares his support. Mr. President, why are there no women supporters of Bort's law and order? Have you asked Nancy? Well, you didn't invite it, so your own administration officials take up half the table. The other half of the table are leaders of virtually all of the law enforcement organizations in the United States, democratically, electrically. Sir, can you tell us about the Philippines? Do you think this is a key that is out of danger now? I don't know, Sam. I'm not going to get into that. We've got another subject here. Frankly, we're trying to keep track of what's going on here. Have you spoken to Scott of Pito? No, I've got to go. Thanks. Just shut me off, see? Oh, no. It doesn't have to be. Well, you have to visit Reagan and take our calls so we can find out if she supports Joe's court. She takes a call. Mr. President, at one point Exeter wants to retire his old rank of vice admiral. Will you support that? I'm not going to comment on that. I just learned that myself. Is that something you'd consider? No answer. Looks like the Russians are planning for a summit in either October or November. Please use it. He said no answer. Let's go. Come on, let's go. I'll give you a piece of advice. I support the idea of a summit. That looks good doesn't it? You want it? Not at all. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Mitch White. Your support of Jeff Bork. Mr. B. needs to make your call. Thank you Mr. Bork. Your support of Jeff Bork. Mr. Bork. Your support of Jeff Bork. It's not going to be easy. Mr. President, I wouldn't say, but I think your information, the largest movement we've had in the United States is a certain women from America. I don't know, President. I don't know how to answer that. Let me just say there are a lot of women. Let me just say what's going on at a more personal level. Let me again welcome you and tell you how grateful that I am that you've taken the time of your busy schedules to share your views with those of the organizations that you represent on this importance. You know, during the past several years, we've traveled a lot of roads together and fought shoulder to shoulder. An issue which goes to the heart of civilized society is one of the fundamental purposes of organized society, maintaining safe, secure communities for our fellow citizens to grow and prosper. So today, I'm particularly pleased to be able to hear your thoughts on my nomination and how important the Supreme Court and I think I'm aware of how you feel. His nomination, as I said a few minutes ago, gives us an opportunity to continue into the future the important progress that we've made together on our war on crime. So, Jim, I'm going to turn to you. First, you established an enviable reputation since the tough time finally in Chicago that served as a U.S. Attorney there. You continued your dynamic leadership in the law enforcement system. Thank you, Mr. President. First, know that all of us consider this to be part of our busy schedule. We're not taking time for that. This is an order of high importance.