The Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off the Supreme Court confirmation hearings with several hours of praise and criticism of Judge Neil Gorsuch. As Judge Gorsuch embarks on an incredibly long day today answering questions (which you can follow here), it’s worth taking a look at his opening statement yesterday. You can read the full transcript of his remarks here.

The key takeaway from this? Humility. Judicial Humility. As seen above, he started off by thanking everyone he has met with during this process and beautifully thanked his wife for her support and love.

Below are highlights from yesterday’s proceedings and his opening statement.

Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) did introduce Judge Gorsuch. However, he’s still straddling the fence regarding his support for or against this nomination. He’s doing so even after his constituents on BOTH sides of the aisle and Governor Bill Ritter (his former boss) have all given their full unequivocal support to this nomination.

Coloradoans and Broncos fans everywhere who may not have been paying attention sat up and took notice after this endorsement hit the wires yesterday.

BREAKING: On official @Broncos letterhead, @johnelway urges Senate Judiciary to confirm #gorsuch #copolitics #coleg #GorsuchHearing pic.twitter.com/HwkmRkrM0B

— Peter Marcus (@MediaMarcus) March 20, 2017

Senator Dianne Feinstein really doesn’t like the fact that we should interpret the law as it’s written. She made it clear that originalism is very troubling and everyone, including judges need to view our Constitution as a ‘living document.’ Then again, did we expect anything different from her? No.

Some idiots on Twitter were triggered by this quote:

#Gorsuch: “My dad taught me that success in life has little to do with success. Kindness, he showed me, is the great virtue.” pic.twitter.com/y06NK3O3hA

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2017

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senator Maize Hirono (D-HI) firmly believe that the U.S. Supreme Court has ALWAYS favored Republicans and corporations. Did they DO their research? Evidently not.

Judge Gorsuch, as David French points out, clearly articulated what the proper role of the judiciary is.

Mr. Chairman, these days we sometimes hear judges cynically described a politicians in robes, seeking to enforce their own politics rather than striving to apply the law impartially. If I thought that were true, I’d hang up the robe. The truth is, I just don’t believe that’s what a life in the law is about.

Take a look at the above statement in the context of several judges who’ve lately ruled by political ideology rather than the law. IMO, that was NOT a compliment to their judicial activism, it was a subtle slam. Those judges would do well to pay attention to THIS statement from Gorsuch as well.

If judges were just secret legislators, declaring not what the law is but what they would like it to be, the very idea of a government by the people and for the people would be at risk. And those who came before the court would live in fear, never sure exactly what the law requires of them, except for the judge’s will.

Democrat lawyer and Georgetown law professor Neil Katyal, speaking in favor of Judge Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court, coined a new phrase. “Humability.” He declared that Gorsuch’s firm commitment to judicial independence and most importantly to the rule of law is exactly what this country needs right now.

Judge Gorsuch cited two Judges whose judicial philosophy he shares. Justice Robert Jackson:

Finally, there is Justice Jackson. He wrote clearly so everyone could understand his decisions. He never hid behind legal jargon. And while he was a famously fierce advocate for his clients as a lawyer, he reminded us that, when you become a judge, you fiercely defend only one client — the law…

Increase Sumner, a colonial-era lawyer and judge:

As a lawyer, he was faithful and able. As a judge, patient, impartial, and decisive. In private life he was affectionate and mild. In public life he was dignified and firm. Party feuds were allayed by the correctness of his conduct. Calumny was silenced by the weight of his virtues, and rancor softened by the amenity of his manners.”

Judge Gorsuch has received bipartisan support for his courtesy, integrity, adherence to the rule of law, love for this country, deep abiding respect for our Constitution, and his Humability.  An eminently qualified jurist who will serve America and our Constitution well.