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Washington, DC - An
analysis of the testimony by William G. Myers III at the
Senate hearing on his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Ninth Circuit, and of Mr. Myers' written answers to
Senators' post-hearing questions, confirms that he is unfit
to serve in a lifetime seat on the court that decides the
fate of environmental safeguards for three-quarters of our
nation's public lands, and the rights of hundreds of thousands
of Native Americans.
Compiled by Earthjustice, People For the American Way, and
Community Rights Counsel, the
report highlights renewed concerns about Myers' hostility
to environmental protections and the rights of Native Americans;
his unflagging advocacy for the mining and beef industries;
his complete lack of judicial experience; and his extreme
views on property rights and constitutional protections.
"It's hard to think of another nominee who fails at
so many tests. He has no judicial experience. His view of
the appropriate role of government would be to roll back a
half-century of progress on civil rights and social justice.
He would dismantle environmental protections in favor of industry
and lobbying concerns, and he shows an utter lack of respect
for the rights of tribal peoples," said Ralph G. Neas,
President of People For the American Way.
"We all depend on fair and impartial judges to uphold
and enforce clean air, clean water and other basic laws. William
Myers' responses to Senators' questions further demonstrate
that he is an anti-environmental ideologue who is unfit to
be a lifetime court of appeals judge," said Glenn Sugameli,
Senior Legislative Counsel for Earthjustice. "Unfortunately,
the evidence shows that, if confirmed as a judge, he would
unfairly favor industry over basic environmental safeguards
and the rule of law."
"William Myers has devoted his career to lobbying for
grazing and mining interests, and he continued to champion
those interests as a lawyer for the Department of the Interior.
His only qualifications for a seat on the Ninth Circuit should
be disqualifications," said Doug Kendall, Executive Director
of Community Rights Counsel. " Just as the first Earth
Day galvanized the American commitment to a clean and healthy
environment, the nomination of William Myers is galvanizing
Americans around the court threat to environmental protection."
In the wake of his hearing, opposition to Myers' nomination
has deepened among the nation's environmental organizations,
civil rights advocates, and Native American tribes, and has
broadened in significant respects.
- Major newspapers have editorialized sharply against Myers.
Newspapers serving the states covered by the 9th Circuit that
have urged the rejection of his nomination include the San
Jose Mercury News, The Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco
Chronicle, and the Arizona Daily Star.
- Forty-two members of the House of Representatives have
sent a letter urging the Senate to reject his nomination.
- More than 175 groups now oppose Myers' confirmation, including
unprecedented opposition by Native American and tribal organizations,
and by the National Wildlife Federation, which has never before
opposed a judicial nomination by any President.
On April 1, Myers' nomination was sent to the Senate floor
by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a narrow, party-line
vote of 10-9. Today's report, "Unfit to Judge: Hearing
and Post-Hearing Record Reinforces the Case Against the Confirmation
of William G. Myers III," and additional information
regarding the Myers' nomination, can be found at:
http://www.earthjustice.org/policy/judicial/nominees/#myers
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=15046
http://www.communityrights.org/Newsroom/crcNewsReleases/Myerspost4-20-04.asp
For more information on the nomination of William Myers,
click
here.
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