this is "andrea mitchell reports." i'm peter alexander filling in for andrea. within minutes history maker and barrier breaker. at the white house, president biden will host judge ketanji brown jackson for her celebration. the first black woman confirmed by the supreme court. we're going to take you live minutes from now. >> and deadly rocket strikes in the train station in the eastern part of that country. a warning the images are quite graphic. the death tole, we're learning is rising. at least 50 including children are dead. president zelenskyy saying they were ukrainians waiting to be evacuated. but first, to judge ketanji brown jackson's conformation to the supreme court. history on the high court. and joining me is chief white house correspondent and my "weekend today" cohost, kristen

welker. they are set to celebrate a promise fulfilled and history a historic achievement. >> reporter: it is and you can feel how momentous this moment is. people have started to gather here for this moment to celebrate and mark the fact that now supreme court -- soon to be justice -- ketanji brown jackson will be sworn in at the end of the summer when stephen breyer leaves his post at the supreme court. we've been talking about why throughout the morning. but really since she was first nominated, peter. obviously with this conformation, the supreme court will no longer have a majority of white men and of course, it will have its first black female justice. as you pointed out, this is the fulfillment of a campaign promise that kept president biden going when he was a kid that he would put a black woman on the high court. he can say he's fulfilled that

promise. in terms of who we expect to come here today, of course judge ketanji brown jackson's family will be here, as well as all 53 senators who voted to confirm her. supreme court justices present and past. and those three republicans who voted to confirm her were invited but they will not be here. of course, susan collins is recovering from covid. lisa murkowski is in alaska and mitt romney said he won't attend. but there are hundreds of people to support her and mark this historic moment, along with the president. we'll hear from judge jackson. and the history and the journey that it took for her to get here. of course, she is someone who has a unique background on the bench. she has served as a public defender, which is a unique part of her resume. and something she talked about during those conformation hearings. and those hearings, at times, got contentious. those who support her say she

handled those moments with grace. i've been talking to law students who say this moment is personal for them. because it's a sign to them that they can achieve their goals. and that if they fight hard enough, if they work hard enough anything and everything is possible. so, we are here on the south lawn of the white house waiting for this historic moment to get underway. >> grit, determination andb intelligence all characteristics she embodies. we'll be back on the south lawn as soon as that event gets started. we go to the attack on innocent civilians in the eastern part of the country. joining us from lviv. we should warn you that some of the images are quite graphic. the top u.s. general warned of violence in the southeast just yesterday. what is the latest on this new horrific attack? >> reporter: good morning, peter. another day, another unremitting

stream of violence and chaos targeting the ukrainian people. this time a train station in eastern ukraine. early reports are saying at least 50 people have been killed there. as many as five children amongst the fatalities. we heard there were about 4,000 people at that train station trying to get out of the heavily hit donbas area of ukraine. of course, the last few days the ukrainian authorities have been warning people in that area to get out while they can because the new focus of attack by the russians was going to be on the eastern part of ukraine. sort of retreated from the kyiv area. and it's a scene of carnage, as you described. dead bodies on the floor of the train station, blood everywhere. suitcases are strewn all over the place. these were of course many women and children trying to escape. they were expecting to come in

the eastern part of ukraine. the ukrainian foreign minister said he was expecting an assault of a thousand tanks to hit the donbas region and this is why they were trying to get out of there so they don't get hemmed in like the citizens of mariupol, who haven't been able to get out of their city. but clearly the russians did not want these people to get out. they wanted to terrorize the civilian population, keep them hemmed in and capitulate through terror. and they hit a train station. this is clearly not a military target. this was a civilian target. the reports are it was hit with two missiles. they made have had cluster ammunitions, which caused much more damage after it hit the ground. spread and causing a lot of fatalities and a lot of damage to any vehicle ises that were in the area. we've heard that at least 100 people have been taken to the hospital. but the governor of that area

pex -- expects the numbers to go up significantly as people keep streaming in the hospitals and perhaps the death count to go up. >> in discriminate bombing. and joining us is the former u.s. ambassador to ukraine. the latest numbers say at least 50 innocent civilians, including children killed in the strike. the pentagon now saying it was a short-range ballistic missile. and what struck anybody watching is the words written across that rocket in russian. they read for the children. and an evacuation site. the train station in part of lviv. >> you're right. it's gut wrenching, disgusting, terrible. the latest in a sear ease of those kind of evepts. we saw bucha. this is a demonstration of the

horror of the horror that the russians are raining down. and peter, this is making it clearer to the ukrainians why they must win. and it's clearer to us why they must win. this cannot -- this cannot stand. this cannot be allowed to continue in this time. so, we have a real obligation. the united states has a real obligation, nato has a real obligation. we have a moral obligation to be sure that this results in putin's defeat. ukrainians are more committed than ever. >> you say the ukrainians and frankly the west need to win. what does winning look like? what is that end goal? >> the end goal, peter, is clearly a ukraine that is sovereign, within its territorial boundaries. >> and define that word territorial integrity. would it be sats factory for

crimea to remain russian and the donbas area? given the horrors we're seeing, it emsoos like it's hard to imagine zelenskyy could accept such a thing? >> it is hard to imagine and he won't accept that the russians would control forever crimea and donbas. and you're exactly right. it's up to president zelenskyy to decide what would go into these negotiations. you're right to ask how this ends and where do we go from here? the russians have a hard swaug as well. the russian troops are tired. remember, peter, they've been in the field in the winter since january. and they got really badly beaten. you've pointed out that they got badly beaten around kyiv. they had to withdraw. they were driven back to belarus and russia to try to lick their wounds, recover. and it's these same troops that they're trying to send to

donbas. so, the russians have a hard job as well. and the ukrainians are more determined than ever that they will win. >> and vladimir putin's spokesperson admits now to significant troop losses. that's not having any impact on his calculus as they are intending, it appears, to bring in more troops and focus their attention on the east right now. pute pchbs popularity, at least for polls publicly shared for a country that has no access to real information is as high as it's been. so, what would change his calculus? >> what will change his calculus is losing on the battle field. he's lost around kyiv. you're right they've now admitted they've lost a lot of soldiers. probably 10s of thousands. and peter, we remember the russians lost 15,000 in afghan a stan over ten years. so, these are serious losses. they're looking for

replenishments. they can't get there belarusians to join them. they're looking for private contractors. the russians have is a hard road and the ukrainians are more motivated than ever to win. >> many conscripts on the way, many who will have no training whatsoever. >> thank you, peter. good to be here. and this afternoon, her time after a history-making vote in the united states senate. judge ketanji brown jackson is set to be the first black woman to serve on the nation's highest court. a white house commemoration, celebration is moments away. that is a live picture. we will take you there next. you're watching "andrea mitchell reports." you're watching "andrea mitchell reports. best? eggland's best. the only eggs with more fresh and delicious taste. plus, superior nutrition. which is now more important than ever.

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woman to serve on the supreme court. she's are going to take the bench later this year. we expect to hear from president biden, vice president harris and judge ketanji brown jackson herself on what this means for our nation. and joining me is senior correspondent, kelly o'donnell, pete williams and nbc washington correspondent and moderator of "washington week" on pbs and politico white house reporter and co author of the political playbook, eugene daniels. and joyce vance. senior critic at large, robin gavon. you've been speaking to judge jackson's friends and family as we keep this live picture up as attendees are gathering right now. what are you hearing from them? what do we expect to see? who will be in attendance? >> it's a momentous and profound moment for our country but also for people who know judge jackson personally.

i got ahold of her sister circle, her group chat people who have known her for a long time, both at harvard undergrad and law. they believe judge jackson has been brilliant and a star since she was a young college student. one of her friends even predicted she would become the first black woman on the supreme court. when i asked what does that feel like for that to happen? she squealed and said it feels like full circle. one of her friends said this was a painful process to watch. that people who love judge jackson understand she had to stay poised and do what she's always done, which is even keel and be fair. but it was disturbing to see all sorts of claims that they know not to be true about their friend made. but they're all watching. some went to the hearing. i know judge jackson's family, some of them will be in attendance. her parents may be in attendance at the white house. this is a moment being

celebrated by so many around the country and around those close to the judge. >> and we're learning ten u.s. senators will be among those in attendance. the three republicans who voted in favor were invited but will not be there today. and we got to wait a little bit to call her a justice. >> we have to wait when stephen breyer steps down in late june or early july. she has a decision to make whether she'll stay on the court of appeals. if she does and she might have to face recusal because she was involved in those in the lower court. that's one thing to decide. but a big advantage is she'll get a real head start. anyone who takes a new job, there's time to figure out what's going on and that's true with the supreme court, even though she spent almost nine years as a judge. she'll spend the entire summer

getting up to speed, reading about all the cases pending before the court and the thousands asking the court to take the cases. and this is the earliest that any supreme court justice has ever had to get a head start in 50 years. the only person who comes close is the person she's succeeding, stephen breyer, who came in late july. ketanji jackson will come in early july and that's when we can start calling her justice jackson. >> pete, thank you so much. and on the screen right now you can see cedric richmond exchanging handshakes and hugs with senator chris coombs from the home state of delaware. and this solidifies both the president and the judge's places in history now. they were able to celebrate this moment together yesterday. there were tears. this was a surprise to us. we didn't know she would be in the roosevelt room. there was a presidential selfie the two took. what did that behind the scenes

celebration look like? take us into the room and what we expect to hear in the next couple of moments some >> in many ways this marks almost the end of the time of president biden and judge jackson together because they will, of course, represent two separate but equal branchs of government and once she becomes a member of the court, it's not typical for justices to spend time at the white house. might be an occasional guest for a special occasion but this ends their time together. it's the culmination of a promise made by president biden as a candidate. one that does forge their histories together. part of his legacy and her place in history as the first african-american woman to serve on the court. in many ways, they'll be fused together over time. and her service on the court will be part of his legacy. so, they have this private moment in the roosevelt room where they watched the voting of the senate. and the president reacted with kind of a sort of almost

sports-like reaction. she was a bit tearful. they held hands and embraced. and had that moment where they could each sort of see this important personal but much larger moment coming together. today, for those who are outside the washington area, we have pleasant weather, which we have not had in days. so, to be able to have a beautiful event on the south lawn after we've had days and days of rain is itself kind of a parting of the clouds after what has been a contentious conformation process and now there will be a celebration. and celebrations at white houses are few and far between. the day-to-day grind of governance, the kinds of issues any white house has to deal with usually don't allow for much celebration. this is a special occasion in that way where they can celebrate the achievement and what it represents to the country to have a court that

looks more like the country, to have a court that will have a new person serving, who will be an example to many, especially young girls around the country in many ways. kvj, those initials will be part of our culture as well as her service to the court for all of her intellectual gifts. peter. >> if you'll indulge my back of head identification system in the front row. you can see wearing a hat, what appears to be patrick leahy, the democratic senator from vermont. next to him, dick durbin, who chairs the senate judiciary committee, the hearings tlalt that were at times contentious with republicans criticizing judge jackson. and next to them is the senate majority leader, chuck schumer. weevl are only seen five female justices on the supreme court. three of color. for the first time the supreme court will no longer be a white

male majority. what kind of message does that send to this country that the highest court in the land looks a bit more like the rest of us? >> for weeks i've been talking to black women both personally, people i know, family and friends and professionally, talking to them about what that means and what we heard and definitely what i heard yesterday. i was at the national action network conference and talking to a lot of black advocates and they say it's telling all little black girls and older black women that there's a new path, a new dream to dream than there has been before. when people can put aside and this doesn't happen as often now days, put aside being a republican and a democrat and think about the idea that there are going to be black girls born who will see a black womanen the supreme court and that will be their normal that tells them

something about the country and at a time when they're having a different conversation on race than we've had in years, it's helpful to see that kind of representation in the highest court in the land. we see it at the white house, the vice president of the united states. and so, as joe biden made that promise and wanted to make sure he made that example. clyburn was the one who made him promise that on the stage. and from there, they're hoping to see the representation look a little bit more like the country that we live in. >> and they are getting a chamber of commerce gorgeous day in washington. the temperature is 60 degrees on the south lawn, which has the added benefit that is several lawmakers have tested positive for covid and they can be outside. some a bit more senior than others, to be gathered together. we were talking about the impact

of this moment. we've all seen the "the new york times" image of laila jackson. she was beaming behind her mom at the hearings. this never gets old. it's so moving and compelling. what does this moment mean for her two daughters seeing their mom make history? what does it mean for young black girls around the country? it was kamala harris who gave her stationary to cory booker yesterday and encouraged them to write a letter to a young black girl in their life about that moment. >> well, i think it's a reminder that despite how slowly it seems like change happens, despite the setbacks, despite the need for patience and endurance, that these incredible moments can happen. that hope and that hard work really pay off.

and i think what else is important to remember is it often seems like the country is stuck; that it has such trouble making good on its promise; that it has such trouble moving forward; that with every forward step, it feels like there's a pushback. this is just a reminder that it is possible for these big moments to happen. and that, to some degree, while we think there's these jolting startling moments, that they're actually, in some ways, inevitable because their there is this continual pressing forward. and i think that's what you sort of see when you saw that beaming smile. that this is belief. belief in what's possible. >> as we look at live pictures right now, you can see other

dignitaries arriving. there was the family of judge jackson and just for clarity, if we can run you through today's program, i'm told the vice president will speak first and the president of the united states and ultimately it will be the judge. there are are her parents who are in and her brother as well who are all in attendance during the hearings. you can see the pride in their faces. her father, who would be studying his law books while she was drawing in her coloring books, helping inspire his daughter to what is now one of the most important positions in the land. among nine justices officially sworn in. and as we wait for the vice president, the president and the judge to arrive, as some have written, her impact may be a bit limited. clearly it doesn't shift the ideological balance but does bring a fresh perspective to the court. what kind of impact can she have

in terms of her desense? and just the new voice at around that conference table, that private conference table at the supreme court? >> well, this is a moment of such solidity and permanence because we live in this era where everything seems to be influx. there are deep concerns that roe verses wade will be reversed this term in the court. but soon to be justice jackson's appointment is tenure. this is one advance in our society that can't be undone no matter what the future holds. so, while she now joins the three in a 6-3 conservative-led court, those majorities don't tend to hold forever. she will be -- she will be a smart voice, something i think has unfortunately got lost in the hearings, which have been so political and emotional, is the solid qualifications that this judge brings to the court. her ability to explain the law

in a voice that people, who aren't lawyers, can understand. so, now, as a country, we'll have the benefit of her skills. she may start in the minority. i don't think she'll stay there for her entire tenure on the court. >> and as we wait to hear from the president, the vice president, a little house keeping and good news as relates to the vice president. the vice president continues to be tested for covid-19. she was deemed to be a close contact to her communications director a couple of days ago. she tested today and again she was negative. while she is distanced today, she will not be masked and the event is outside. when she's around others, the white house says she will wear a mask. and as we again wait for this historic celebration, when judge jackson takes the bench, it's going to be-the first time in 233 years, there entire history of the supreme court it will not

have a white male majority. you write what her conformation means towards institutional power. progress is possible. the challenge has always been whether we can sustain it. can we build on it instead of trying to chip it away?" how does america sustain this momentum and continue to push forward? >> i think that's the million dollar question. i think we have to look at the successes that we've had and then also watch to see how judge, soon to be justice, jackson performs on the court as a reminder that these sorts of steps forward are positive steps for the country; that they might be painel for some as they happen; that once people become accustomed to seeing a new version of power, a new version

of authority, that it's okay. that the world doesn't come to an end and we're all better off for it. i think one of the things that we saw during that vote was still the difficult nature of change. and the fact that there were many people in the chamber who were opposed to it her nomination. in part, it seemed, because they were uncomfortable with this idea that what they were used to, what they wanted was completely inappropriate. >> there she is. the first lady of the united states, jill biden, joined by the first ever second gentleman. plenty of firsts today as they celebrate on the south lawn. they're within the two-minute warning window. which is to say we should see the president, the judge and the vice president momentarily as they exit there the south

portico of the white house. and this is an opportunity for this white house to celebrate a historic achievement, to be there among allies and friends, not just. >> the white house but for this country. president biden, just over two years ago, delivering the campaign promise. saying if elected, he would be the first ever to nominate a black woman to serve on the supreme court and today a fulfillment of that promise. though she'll be formally sworn in a bit later, likely the end of the court's term, at the end of june or perhaps early july. kelly o'donnell is on the ground at the white house as well. her voice is going to make a difference. >> reporter: peter, one of the things we learned during the process where the president was looking to make the decision is he knew, because of the nature of the court's balance, he wanted someone who could have a powerful voice writing descents and in the course of writing

desends, that can shape the future of the country as well and looking for the talent, that gift in the legal writings of ketanji brown jackson. that's one of the insights, as he got to know her, as he read her case work. in looking for the ways he was trying to fill this vacant seat, not only by fulfilling a promise but looking for the kand of scholarship and legal mind that he wanted to reside on the court in a place where he would have an imprint, knowing the 6-3 balance is, for now, going to hold. peter. >> as has been described, judge jackson breaking the double pain glass sealing. the first black woman ever to be confirmed to the supreme court. let's listen. >> judge ketanji brown jackson. ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ good morning. good morning. good morning, america. have a seat, please. president joe biden, first lady, dr. jill biden, second

gentleman, douglas emhoff, members of congress, members of the cabinet, members of our administration, and friends and fellow americans today is indeed a wonderful day. [ applause ] as we gather to celebrate the conformation of the next justice of the united states supreme court, judge ketanji brown jackson. [ applause ]

>> president george washington once referred to america as a great experiment. a nation founded on the previously untested belief that the people, we the people, could form a more perfect union and that belief has pushed our nation forward for generations. and it is that belief that we reaffirmed yesterday. [ applause ] through the conformation of the first black woman to the united states supreme court. [ applause ] >> about time. >> and judge jackson, you will

inspire generations of leaders. they will watch your conformation hearings and read your decisions. in the years to come, the court will answer fundamental questions about who we are and what kind of country we live in. will we expand opportunity or restrict it? will we strengthen the foundations of our great democracy or let them crumble? will we move forward or backward? the young leaders of our nation will learn from the experience, the judgment, the wisdom that you, judge jackson, will apply in every case that comes before you and they will see for the

first time four women sitting on that court at one time. [ applause ] so, as a point of personal privilege, i will share with you i judge jackson, that when i presided over the senate conformation vote yesterday, while i was sitting there, i drafted a note to my goddaughter. and i told her that i felt such a deep sense of pride and joy and about what this moment means for our nation and for her future. and i will tell you her braids are just a little longer than yours. but as i wrote to her, i told her what i knew this would mean

for her life and all that she has in terms of potential. so, indeed, the road towards our more perfect union is not always straight. and it is not always smooth but sometimes it leads to a day like today. [ applause ] a day, that reminds us what is possible, what is possible when progress is made and that the journey, while it will always be worth it. so, let us not forget that, as we celebrate this day, we are also here in great part because of one president joe biden. [ applause ]

and -- [ applause ] [ laughter] and because of joe biden's vision and leadership and commitment, a life-long commitment to building a better america and of course we are also here because of the voices and the support of so many others, many of whom are in this audience today. and with that, it is now extreme and great honor to introduce our president, joe biden. [ applause ]

>> thank you, kamala. thank you, thank you, thank you. the first really smart decision i made in this administration. my name's joe biden. please sit down. i'm jill's husband. and naomi's grandfather. and folks, yesterday -- this not only a sunny day, i mean this from the bottom of my heart. this is going to let so much sunshine on so many young women, so many young black women, so many minorities, that it's real. it's real. we're going to look back, nothing to do with me. we're going to look back and see this as a moment of real change in american history. i was on the phone this morning, jesse, the president in south africa and talking about how the time i was so outspoken about what was going on in my meeting

with nelson mandela and i said you know, i said i'm shortly going to -- i'm looking out the window and i'm going to go what they call the south lawn of the white house and i'm going to introduce to the world, to the world the first african-american woman on over 200 judges on the supreme court. and he said to me, he said keep it up. keep it up. we're going to keep it up. and folks, yesterday we all witnessed a true historic moment. presided over by the vice president. there are moments that people go back in history and they're literally historic, consequential. today, we're joined by the first lady and the second gentleman and members of the cabinet, senate majority leader. there you are, chuck and so many

who made this possible. but then today is a good day. a day that history is going to remember and in the years to come, they're going to be proud of what we did and we're going to tell what dick durbin did as the chairman of the committee. i'm serious, dick. i'm deadly earnest when i say that. to turn our children and grandchildren and say i was there. i was there. this is one of those moments, in my view. my fellow americans, today i'm honored to officially introduce to you the next associate justice of the supreme court of the united states, ketanji brown jackson. [ applause ] after more than 20 hours of questioning at her hearing and nearly 100 meetings. she made herself available to

every single senator who wanted to speak to her and spoke for more than just a few minutes. answered their questions in private as well as before the committee. we all saw the kind of justice she'll be. fair and impartial, thoughtful, careful, precise, brilliant. a brilliant legal mind with deep knowledge of the law and the judicial temperament, which is equally important in my view that's calm and in command and the humility that allows so many americans to see themselves in ketanji brown jackson. that brings a rare combination of expertise and qualifications to the court. a federal judge who has served on the second most powerful court in america, behind the supreme court. a former federal public defender -- [ applause ] with the ability to explain complicated issues in the law in

ways everybody, all people can understand. a new perspective. when i made the commitment to nominate a black woman on the supreme court, i could see this day. i literally could see this day because i thought about it for a long, long time. as jill will tell you i wasn't going to run again but when i decided to run this is one of the first decisions i made. i could see it. i could see it as a day of hope, a day of promise, a day of progress. a day when once again the moral arc of the universe, as barack used to put it all the time, bends a little more towards justice. i knew it wouldn't be easy but i knew the person i nominated would be put through a painful and difficult conformation process but i have to tell you what judge jackson was put through was well beyond that. there was verbal abuse, the anger when the constant

interruptions, the most vile basis assertions and accusations. in the face of it all, judge jackson showed the incredible character and integrity she possesses. poise. >> yes, you did. [ applause ] >> poise and composure, patience and restraint. and yes, perseverance and even joy. even joy. [ applause ] >> ketanji, i can't call you that in public anymore. judge, you are the very definition of what we call dignity. you have enormous dignity and this communicates to people is contagious and it matters. it matters a lot. maybe that's not surprising if you looking to sat behind her

during the hearings. her husband, dr. patrick jackson and his family. patrick, stand up, man. stand up. i know it's embarrassing the girls. [ applause ] i'm going to tell you what thalia said. it's hard being the daughter or son of a famous person. i said imagine what it's like being president. and she said she may be. i couldn't agree more. thank you. thank you, thank you, thank you. and her brother, a former police officer and a veteran. stand up, man. he looks like he can still play, buddy. he's got biceps about as big as my calves. thank you, bud. thank you, thank you, thank you. and of course, her parents.

john and elray brown. stand up. [ applause ] i tell you what, as i told mom, mom's rule in my house. you think i'm kidding. i'm not. my mom and my wife as well. look, people of deep faith and the deep love of family and country, that's what you represent. who know first-hand, mom and dad, the indignity of jim crow, the 92 n humanity of legal segregation and you have overcome so much in your own lives. you saw the strength of parents and daughter. that is just worth celebrating. i can't get over mom and dad

what you did in your faith and never giving up any hope. the wonderful son you have and your daughter. and that's lifted up millions of americans who watch you, judge jackson. especially women who have had to run the gauntlet in their own lives. so many of my cabinet members are women, women of color, women that represent every sector of the community and it matters. and you stood up for them as well. they know it. everybody out there, every woman out there, everyone -- am i correct? just like they have. just like they have. and same with the women members of congress as well, across the board. look, it's a powerful thing when people can see themselves in others. think about that. what's the most powerful

thing -- i bet everyone of you can go back and think of a time in your life when there wauz a teacher, family member, neighbor, somebody who made you believe that you could be whatever you wanted to be. it's a powerful, powerful notion. and that's one of the reasons, believe so strongly we needed a court that looks like america, not just a supreme court. that's why i'm proud to say, with the great help of dick durbin, i've notinated more black women judges than all previous presidents combined. [ applause ] that's why i'm proud that kamala harris is our vice president of the united states. a brilliant lawyer, attorney general of the state of california, former member of the senate judiciary committee. kamala was invaluable during this entire process.

[ applause ] and chuck, majority leader, i want to thank you, pal. you did a hasterful job of keeping the caucus together. getting the vote across the finish line in a timely and historic manner. just watching on television yesterday, watching when the vote was taken, the democratic side, the way there was such enthusiasm. genuine. you can tell when it's real. you can tell when it's real. you did an incredible job, chuck. thank you so much. because you're all able to sit down and don't have to stand, i'm going to go on and say something about dick durbin again. overseeing the hearing, how you executed the strategy, by the hour every day to keep the community together. and you have a very divided committee with some of the most conservative members of the senate on that committee.

it was especially difficult with an evenly divided senate. dick, i served as chairman of that committee for a number of years before i had this job and the job of vice president, as did all the democrats. i think all the democrats on the committee did. and every democrat in the senate, all of whom voted for judge jackson and notwithstanding the harassment of and attacks in the hearings, i always believed a bipartisan vote was possible. and i hope i don't get them in trouble. i mean this sincerely. i want to thank three republicans who voted for judge jackson. senator collins is a woman of integrity. senator murkowski, the same way in alaska, up for reelection. and mitt romney, whose dad stood up like he did, his dad stood up and made these decisions on civil rights. they deserve enormous credit for

setting aside partisanship and making a judgment based on the candidate's qualifications and independence. i truly admire the hard work and diligence during the course of the process. i believe that respect for the process is important. and that's why it was so important to me to meet the constitutional requirement to seek the advice and the consent of the senate. the advice beforehand and the consent. judge jackson started the nominating process with an impressive range of support from the f.o.p. to the civil rights leaders, even republican-appointed judges came forward. in facts are judge jackson was introduced to the hearing by judge thomas griffin, the distinguished retired judge appointed by george w. bush. he finished the hearings with among the highest level of

support of the american people of any nomination in recent memory. so soon judge jackson will join the united states supreme court and like every justice, the decision see makes will impact the lives of america for a lot longer in many cases than any laws we all make. but the truth is, she's already impacting the lives of so many americans. during the hearing, dick spoke about a custodial worker who works a night shift at the capitol. her name is verona clemens. where are you? stand up, i want to see you. you don't mind. she told them what this nomination meant to her. so i invited ms. clemens to attend the hearing because she wanted to see, hear and stand by judge jackson. thank you, verona. thank you, thank you, thank you. at a meeting with senator

jackson, senator duckworth introduced her to 11-year-old -- is it vivian? vevan. she was so inspired she wants to be a supreme court justice when she grows up. stand up, honey. am i going to embarrass you by asking you to stand up? come on, stand. she met judge jackson and saw her future. thank you for coming, honey. i know embarrassed you by introducing you. thank you. people of every generation, every race, every background felt this moment and they feel it now. they feel a sense of pride and hope and belonging and believing and knowing the promise of america includes everybody, all of us. that's the american experiment. justice breyer talked about it

when he came to the white house in january to announce his retirement from the court. he used to technically work with me when i was on the judiciary committee, and that's before he became a justice. he's a man of great integrity. we're going to miss justice breyer. he's a patriot, an extraordinary public serviceman and great justice to the supreme court. let me close with what i've long said, america is a nation that can be defined in a single word. i was in the foothills of the himalayans with xi jinping, traveling with him and we traveled 17,000 miles, i don't know that for a fact. we were sitting alone. i had an interpreter, he had an interpreter. and he looked at me and in all seriousness can you define

america for me. i said, yes, i can, in one word. possibilities. possibilities. that in america everyone should be able to go as far as their hard work and god-given talent will take them and possibilities. we think anything's possible. and the idea that a young girl who was dissuaded from even thinking you should apply to harvard law school, don't raise your hopes so high. i don't know who told you that but i'd like to go back and invite them to the supreme court to see the interior. even the supreme court of the united states of america. now, folks, it's my honor and it truly is an honor i've been looking forward to for a while to introduce you to the next

associate justice of the united states supreme court, the honorable ketanji brown jackson. [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you. thank you all very much. thank you. thank you so much, mr. president. it is the greatest honor of my life to be here with you at this moment, standing before my wonderful family, many of my close friends, your distinguished staff and guests and the american people. over these past few weeks you've heard a lot from me and about

me, so i hope to use this time primarily to do something that i have not had sufficient time to do, which is to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many, many people who have helped me as part of this incredible journey. i have quite a few people to thank and as i'm sure you can imagine, in this moment it is hard to find the words to express the depth of my gratitude. first, as always, i have to give thanks to god for delivering me as promised. [ applause ] and for sustaining me throughout this nomination and confirmation process. as i said at the outset, i have come this far by faith, and i know that i am truly blessed. to the many people who have lifted me up in prayer since the nomination, thank you.

i am very grateful. thank you as well, mr. president, for believing in me and for honoring me with this extraordinary chance to serve our country. thank you also, madam vice president, for your wise counsel and steady guidance and thank you to the first lady and the second gentleman for the care and warmth that you have shown me and my family. i would also like to extend my thanks to each member of the senate. you have fulfilled the important constitutional role of providing advice and consent under the leadership of majority leader schumer, and i'm especially grateful for the work of the members of the senate judiciary committee under chairman durbin's skillful leadership. [ applause ] as you may have heard during the

confirmation process, i had the distinct honor of having 95 personal meetings with 97 sitting senators. and we had substantive and engaging conversations about my approach to judging and about the role of judges in the constitutional system we all love. as a brief aside, i will note that these are subjects about which i care deeply. i have dedicated my career to public service because i love this country and our constitution and the rights that make us free. i also understand from my many years of practice as a legal advocate, as a trial judge, and as a judge on the court of appeals that part of the genius of the constitutional framework of the united states is its design and that the framers entrusted the judicial branch with the crucial