I was struck by a snippet of Merrick Garland speaking at his confirmation hearing last week. Senator Cory Booker asked him to conclude by explaining why he wants to be the Attorney General of the United States.
Garland said, “I come from a family where my grandparents fled antisemitism and persecution.” And then he paused, and then continued, with a choking voice: "The country took us in and protected us. And I feel an obligation to the country, to pay back.”
I took a moment to say a prayer of thanks that we're once again hearing from people who believe that they have a duty to serve in this way: a duty to country, a duty to pay back, a duty to pave the way for others. We so often hear from people who are only interested in their own well being, and that approach can be so ruinous.
What he said next intrigued me too: “This is the highest, best use of my one set of skills. And so I want very much to be the kind of attorney general you’re saying I could be.”
I love the idea of finding a way to the highest, best use of a skill set. Now I think that Merrick Garland probably has more than just this one set of skills. But I'm so happy that he's willing to use them in this way, for the good of the country, for the good of us all.
After what happened when he was nominated to be a Supreme Court justice and wasn't allowed a hearing by Senate leaders, I would understand if he never wanted to be nominated for anything again. I'm glad that he didn't take that approach. I'm glad that he's willing to serve in a variety of ways.
There's a lesson here for all of us.
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