Kean Submits Introduction for Harris

Confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin momentarily for Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris.

Harris was nominated to the state Supreme Court by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 23. The Senate Judiciary Committee will open the hearings momentarily.

Christie's other nominee, Phillip H. Kwon, is appearing before the committee before Harris. As of 11:20 a.m., Kwon is finishing his introductory statement before the committee.

The committee is made up of 13 senators, eight Democrats and five Republicans.

State Sen. Thomas Kean, Jr., who has endorsed Harris, submitted introductory remarks to the committee in absentia Thursday.

Chatham Patch will provide additional coverage of the hearings throughout the day.

The following are the opening remarks from Kean:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee.

It’s a pleasure to be able to introduce to you an individual with impeccable character, a sharp legal mind, a long record of public service, and yes, who represents an historic milestone for our state, as a nominee for the New Jersey Supreme Court.

By now, you’re all familiar with Bruce Harris’s career and personal record:

A graduate of Amherst, Boston University, and Yale Law;

An attorney with two of New Jersey’s most prestigious law firms, Riker Danzig and Greenberg Taurig; and,

A dedicated public servant who volunteered his service as councilman and now mayor of Chatham Borough, which I have the honor of representing in the Senate. 

In my service to Chatham, I’ve known Bruce to be a quick study, a tireless worker, and a strong leader who considers all the angles of a problem before making a decision, then bringing people together to work toward a solution.

By any standard, his legal and educational background make him very well qualified to serve on our state’s highest court.

Much of what has been written and said about Bruce to date has centered on the personal diversity he would bring to the Court: an openly gay African-American who has been in a committed relationship of 30 years.

And while it is both important for the Supreme Court to reflect though its justices the diversity of race and creed and lifestyle that is the pride of New Jersey, the diversity of experience that Bruce will bring to the Court is equally important and must not be overlooked.

Bruce Harris offers the New Jersey not only a sharp legal mind, but a legal mind that will bring a fresh perspective on the Court.  Diversity should also mean diversity in the type of law and settings in which it is practiced, because the legal profession does not solely exist in a courtroom or at a trial.

Bruce will bring an M.B.A. and business background to a Court that routinely makes far reaching decisions that impact our state’s regulatory and business climate.

And as a Mayor, Bruce has experienced first hand the impact that Supreme Court rulings have on how our communities are governed, the tax burden of property owners, and the education of our children.

He is smart, a talented lawyer, a model citizen, and offers a personal and professional background that is uniquely suited to serve ALL the people of New Jersey.

The nomination of Bruce Harris to the Supreme Court is indeed historic for our state, not just because of who he is, but because of what he has done and where he comes from.  I urge the Committee to issue a favorable recommendation on his nomination to the full Senate.