Catholics on the Short List

The following Catholics are on President Bush's short list to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor:

(NOTE: I am in no way suggesting these men should be nominated by the president because they are Catholic. I am merely pointing out that each of them is Catholic.)

Samuel Alito Jr

Age: 55

Education:
Princeton University, B.A, 1972
Yale Law School, J.D., 1975

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on February 20, 1990. Confirmed by the Senate on April 27, 1990, and received commission on April 30, 1990.

Professional Career:
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, 1987-1990
Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1985-1987
Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1981-1985
Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey, 1977-1981
Law Clerk, Hon. Leonard I. Garth, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1976-1977

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Miguel Estrada

Age: 44

Education:
Columbia College, B.A, 1983
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1986

Federal Judicial Service:
None
**Nominated in 2000 by President George W. Bush to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. Estrada
withdrew his nomination on September 4, 2003 after seven failed cloture votes.

Professional Career:
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2000-present
Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1992-1997
Associate, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Sthrn District of New York, 1990-1992
Clerk, Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court, 1988-1989
Clerk, Honorable Amalya L. Kearse, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1986-1987

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Emilio Garza

Age: 58

Education:
University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1969
University of Notre Dame, M.A., 1970
University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1976

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 11, 1991. Confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 1991, and received commission on May 30, 1991.

U. S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1988. Confirmed by the Senate on April 19, 1988, and received commission on April 20, 1988.

Professional Career:
Judge, 225th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, 1987-1988
Private practice, San Antonio, Texas, 1976-1987
U.S. Marine Corps Captain, 1970-1973

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Alberto Gonzales

Age: 49

Education:
United States Air Force Academy, 1975-1977
Rice University, B.A., 1979
Harvard Law School, 1982

Federal Judicial Service:
None.

Professional Career:
Attorney General of the United States, 2005 - present
White House Counsel to President George W. Bush, 2001-2005
Associate Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1999-2001
Texas Secretary of State, 1997-1999
General Counsel to Governor George W. Bush, 1995-1996
Partner, Vincent & Elkins, Houston, TX 1982-1994
United States Air Force, 1973-1975

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I also believe Judge Hinojosa is Catholic.

Ricardo H. Hinojosa

Age:55

Education:
University of Texas, Austin, B.A., 1972
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1975

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on April 12, 1983, to a seat vacated by Woodrow B. Seals; Confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 1983, and received commission on May 5, 1983.

Professional Career:
Law clerk, Texas Supreme Court, 1975-1976
Private practice, McAllen, Texas, 1976-1983
Commissioner, U.S. Sentencing Commission, 2003-present