Confirmation Page #2

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in these hearings.

Yeah, good to know that. Thank you.

Let's get in there.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

- Judge.

- Senator.

- Mrs. Thomas.

- Senator.

MALE REPORTER 5:

In a clearly symbolic gesture,

Strom Thurmond, ranking Republican

on the Judiciary Committee

and former segregationist, is escorting

Judge Thomas into the chamber.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I...

I would like to first introduce you

to my wife Virginia.

Welcome, Mrs. Thomas.

It's a pleasure to have you here.

And my son Jamal.

JOE:
Welcome, Jamal.

(TELEPHONE RINGING INDISTINCTLY)

There are not enough words

to express my deep gratitude

and appreciation to Senator Danforth.

- Hello?

- RICKI:
May I speak with Anita Hill?

- This is Anita.

- This is Ricki Seidman.

I'm an investigator

in Senator Kennedy's office.

I'm doing background checks

on Clarence Thomas

in reference to his nomination

to the Supreme Court.

I know you worked for Judge Thomas.

Can I ask some questions about him?

Miss Seidman, the hearings are starting.

Isn't it late to be doing background checks?

You worked for him twice, right,

at Education and EEOC?

- That's right.

- Good experiences?

I was proud of things we accomplished

at both offices.

Professor, we've heard that Judge Thomas

mistreated young women

who worked for him at the EEOC.

Do you know anything about that?

That's not something I can talk about.

Why not?

I'll put it this way.

If I were advising someone who were

a victim of his unwanted advances,

I don't think I would suggest

that she come forward.

In my experience, in a case like this,

when someone comes forward,

the victim tends to become the villain.

Professor, in the next few decades,

the Supreme Court will be

making crucial decisions

that will have a real impact

on the lives of American women.

If there were less at stake, I wouldn't ask.

Were you one of the victims of his advances?

(INAUDIBLE)

(SIGHS)

What I say is

to the Senate Judiciary Committee only,

not for public consumption.

Agreed.

I wouldn't want it to appear

that I had a political agenda.

I'll make it clear.

I came to you.

My earliest memories are those

of Pin Point, Georgia,

a life far removed in space and time

from this room, this day,

- this moment.

- It started at the Department of Education.

CLARENCE:
But I have always carried

in my heart the values of my youth.

The values of my grandparents

and my neighbors.

The values of people

who believe so very deeply in this country

in spite of all of the contradictions.

It is my hope that

when these hearings are complete,

that this Committee will conclude

that I am an honest, decent,

fair person.

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