Who Will Be the Next U.S. Supreme Court Justice?

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was the first bill to be introduced in the United States Senate. Among other things, The Judiciary Act created the United States Supreme Court which called for one Chief Justice and five Associate Justices to meet in the thirteen "judicial districts" throughout the country. The Supreme Court first met in New York City on February 2, 1790 but did not hear or make a ruling on their first case until 1792. The Court was made up of the following men:

Chief Justice - John Jay of New York
Associate Justice - John Rutledge of South Carolina
Associate Justice - William Cushing of Massachusetts
Associate Justice - James Wilson of Pennsylvania
Associate Justice - John Blair of Virginia
Associate Justice - James Iredell of North Carolina

In 1869, the number of Justices increased to nine. Throughout its history, the U.S. Supreme Court has had sixteen Chief Justices and over 100 Associate Justices. President George Washington appointed the first three Chief Justices. All Justices are nominated by the current President of the United States and must be approved by a majority vote of the U.S. Senate. The Justices serve in this office until he/she retires, dies or is impeached.

Current Justice David Souter was appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 at the young age of 51. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate with a vote of 90-9 and was sworn into office on October 9, 1990. Souter was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on September 17, 1939 and graduated from Harvard University in Massachusetts. He went on to serve as Attorney General of New Hampshire in 1976 followed later by an appointment to the Supreme Court of New Hampshire in 1983. Justice Souter is leaving the Court after serving for nineteen years. Souter is currently 69 years old; there are five Justices who are older than Souter.

Confirmation hearings for the new Justice could begin in July. President Obama stated, "I intend to consult with members of both parties, across the political spectrum. And it is my hope that we can swear in our new Supreme Court justice in time for him or her to be seated by the first Monday in October." There is only one woman currently on the U.S. Supreme Court. Will President Obama appoint another woman? Whoever the President appoints, his liberal stance is sure to remain intact. Surely there are many conservatives with as much, if not more, outstanding qualities and who should also be considered for this important role in serving our country.

Sources:
About.com
AOL News/National News