[Publib] COSWL on Alito

[Diedre Conkling]

I thought that you might like to know about this resolution today. 
 
Sharyn Ladner, Chair of ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship, 
presented the committee's report to ALA Council this morning.  The report 
(attached) had one action item: 
 
 
"Resolved, that ALA oppose the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as associate 
justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and communicate this opposition to the U.S. 
Senate." 
 
 
Council discussed at length and PASSED this resolution.   (see below signature)

--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net


COSWL Opposes Confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito 
as U.S Supreme Court Associate Justice  

The Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) joins with other women’s and civil rights organizations in strongly opposing the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. 

Judge Alito was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1990 by the first President Bush. Alito’s appellate record, thoroughly analyzed by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the National Women’s Law Center, and the National Partnership for Women & Families, among others, is cause for concern.  

COSWL, like AAUW, has “grave concerns” about Alito’s nomination: “Throughout his public career, Alito has consistently developed, advanced, and endorsed legal positions that would undermine women’s basic legal rights. . . . The most troubling aspects of Alito’s record lie in the following areas: legal protections against discrimination, reproductive rights, and his approach to established legal precedent.”   

Legal protection against workplace discrimination is critical for librarians, 83% who are women, members of a feminized profession who have long experienced undervaluation and salary discrimination in the workplace in comparison to members of other information professions. AAUW’s analysis of Alito’s record on civil rights issues “reveals a judicial philosophy that would weaken workplace protections which are central to addressing discrimination against women, especially in cases involving equal opportunity on the job,” specifically:  
•	Alito’s opinions in employment discrimination cases demonstrate he would act to severely curtail effective enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws.
•	Alito has dismissed constitutional protections against sexual harassment in school.
•	Alito has a record of and demonstrated opposition towards affirmative action throughout his career.
•	Alito has consistently sought to curb Congress’ legislative authority to tackle issues of national importance, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 

For these reasons COSWL opposes the confirmation of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr., to be associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. COSWL urges ALA Council to issue a statement opposing Judge Samuel Alito’s confirmation. 

Action Item:

"Resolved, that ALA oppose the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as associate 
justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and communicate this opposition to the U.S. 
Senate." 

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  See American Association of University Women, AAUW Opposes the Confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Nominee Samuel Alito, http://www.aauw.org; National Women’s Law Center, The Nomination of Samuel Alito: A Watershed Moment for Women [executive summary], http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/12-15-05_AlitoReportExecutiveSummary.pdf; National Partnership for Women & Families, Tipping the Balance: The Record of Samuel Alito and What’s at Stake for Women [executive summary], http://www.nationalpartnership.org/portals/p3/library/JudicialNominations/AlitoExecutiveSummaryDec20.pdf; all accessed January 17, 2006.
  American Association of University Women, op. cit. 
  Ibid.