I have been a judge for 15 years and I've made up my own mind during all that time.

When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender. And I do take that into account.

When I entered college, I thought that I wanted to be a lawyer, but by the time I was set to graduate, I was not too sure of that.

I think that Congress's ability to reason is fully equal to that of the judiciary.

I learned that hard work and self-discipline can overcome many obstacles.

I think that what my parents taught me about hard work, optimism and education still holds true.

As I mentioned, things were particularly hard during the Depression. My paternal grandfather was frequently out of work, and the family was evicted from their home.