Miers vows to be true to Founders

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Here is the text of Harriet Miers' remarks at the White House after President Bush's announcement that he has nominated her for the Supreme Court:

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you very much. I am very grateful for the confidence in me that you've shown by this nomination and certainly I am humbled by it. From my early days as a clerk in the federal district court and throughout almost three decades of legal practice, bar service and community service, I have always had a great respect and admiration for the genius that inspired our Constitution and our system of government. My respect and admiration have only grown over these past five years that you have allowed me to serve the American people as a representative of the executive branch.

The wisdom of those who drafted our Constitution and conceived our nation as functioning with three strong and independent branches have proven truly remarkable. It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the Founders' vision of the proper role of the courts in our society. If confirmed, I recognize that I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong and help ensure that the courts meet their obligation to strictly apply the law and the Constitution.

As White House counsel, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the members of the Congress, and that experience has given me an even greater appreciation for the roles of the legislative branch in our constitutional system. And now I look forward to the next step in the process that has begun this morning, including the Senate's consideration of my nomination. I look forward to participating in that process.

And now, I want to pause and thank all of those whose love and friendship and support have brought me to this moment. No one reaches the point in time such as this without tremendous sacrifice, help and encouragement of family and friends and colleagues. I'm immensely grateful to the support and love that I feel for my brothers, Harris, Robert and Jeb, and their families, and the love and support that I knew from my father and my sister Kitty and the love and support I feel for her family.

I have a special note this morning for my mom. Thank you for your faith, your strength, your courage, your love and beauty of spirit, and thank you, Mr. President, for this tremendous honor by your nomination.

Associated Press and CQ Transcriptions