Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 30, 1994                   TAG: 9408010031
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

BREYER TO BE SWORN IN AS NEXT JUSTICE

The Boston jurist, President Clinton's second appointee to the court, was approved as praise from senators of both parties drowned out lingering criticism of his personal investments.

Breyer was expected to be sworn in next week to replace Harry Blackmun. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined the court last year.

Breyer was at the White House when the Senate vote was taken and, soon afterward, Clinton introduced him at a previously scheduled Boys Nation ceremony.

``This gentleman has set an example of excellence and fidelity to the law and the Constitution of which every American can be proud,'' Clinton said.

``You're looking at the only man in America with total job security,'' he joked to his youthful audience.

Breyer, grinning broadly, told Clinton: ``Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me.

``I look forward to serving on the Supreme Court. The responsibility of that position is awesome, rather humbling,'' Breyer said.

But, he added, ``The goal of that job is the same as for all of us who work in the law ... to help make the law work better for people.''

Breyer was accompanied to the White House by supporters from both parties, Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

``Judge Breyer is extraordinarily well-qualified to serve on the nation's highest court,'' Kennedy said earlier in support of the Boston-based appeals court judge. ``Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has demonstrated an outstanding intellect, unquestioned integrity and temperament, and a deep and abiding commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law,'' Kennedy said.

All nine votes against Breyer came from Republicans, but he also had support from 33 GOP senators. Reflecting Breyer's bipartisan support, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, gave him high praise as he began the Senate's six hours of debate.

``This is an honest man,'' said Hatch, the Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican. ``He's a man of immense qualifications. He's a man of immense integrity. He is a person who has a tremendous judicial and legal mind. He is a person who is fair and open. He is a person who I think will have an appropriate temperament for the court.''

Leading the criticism was Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., who said Breyer, 55, showed ``extraordinarily bad judgments'' in investing in Lloyd's of London insurance syndicates.

Those investments, Lugar said, opened Breyer to ``unlimited liability of his resources,'' and could force him to stay out of numerous Supreme Court cases involving toxic waste and asbestos.