My religious tradition instructs me to pursue justice (“Justice, justice you shall pursue”—Deuteronomy 16:20). I have lived my life based on these principles. Justice means to me the fair treatment of each individual, whether poor, weak, or despised.

The Law School’s Mission Statement, which I helped to write, reflects my passion for justice. “We encourage our students to develop their own individual commitment to others and explore those themes which are central to the Jesuit tradition; the dignity of the human person, the advancement of the common good, and compassion for the poor…We stand out nationally among other law schools because we respect and are concerned for each individual.”

Although I recognize that Attorney General Mukasey may be an outstanding jurist and lawyer, he has come to symbolize the interrogation practice of waterboarding, which shows a frightening disrespect for the dignity of the human person. Such symbolism is not something that this law school, which I love, should honor by having Mr. Mukasey as our commencement speaker.