Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court Anita Hill testimony, 12:30 pm - 1:10 pm October 11, 1991.
Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Professor Hill, you testified that you drew an inference that Judge Thomas might want you to look at pornographic films, but you told the FBI specifically that he never asked you to watch the films. Is that correct? Professor Anita Hill. He never said, "Let's go to my apartment and watch films," or "go to my house and watch films." He did say, "You ought to see this material." Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). But when you testified that, as I wrote it down, "We ought to look at pornographic movies together," that was an expression of what was in your mind when he - Professor Anita Hill. That was the inference that I drew, yes. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). The inference, so he-- Professor Anita Hill. With his pressing me for social engagements, yes. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). That that was something he might have wanted you to do, but the fact is, flatly, he never asked you to look at pornographic movies with him. Professor Anita Hill. With him? No, he did not. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Will the Senator yield for one moment for a point of clarification? Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). I would rather not. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). To determine whether or not the witness ever saw the FBI report. Does she know what was stated by the FBI about her comments? Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Well, Mr. Chairman, I am asking her about what she said to the FBI. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). I understand. I am just asking that. Have you ever seen the FBI report? Professor Anita Hill. No, I have not. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Would you like to take a few moments and look at it now? Professor Anita Hill. Yes, I would. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Okay. Let's make a copy of the FBI report. I think we have to be careful. Senator Grassley asked me to make sure it doesn't pertain - maybe you could continue - only as it pertains to her. We are not at liberty to give to her what the FBI said about other individuals. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). I was asking Professor Hill about the FBI report. Obviously because the portion I am questioning you about relates to their recording what you said, and I think it is fair, one lawyer to another, to ask about it. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). No, I would continue, because you are not asking her directly. I just wanted to know whether or not her responses were at all based upon her knowledge of what the FBI said she said. That is all I was asking. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Well, she has asked to see it, and I think it is a fair request, and I would be glad to take a moment's delay to - Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). This is the FBI report as it references Professor Hill, only Professor Hill. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). May we stop the clock, Mr. Chairman? Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Yes, we will. We will turn the clock back and give the Senator additional time. I will not ask how long to turn it back. I will leave that decision to Senator Simpson. Senator Alan Simpson (R - Wyoming). I will be watching the clock. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
Various shots of Senators & Anita Hill reading the FBI report. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). That was not to hurry you along, Professor. That was to ask for silence in the room. The only point I wish to make is that you know what is in the report and understand the report is a summary of your conversation, not a transcription of your conversation. Shots of the hearing room. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). While we have this momentary break, the Senator has 10 or more minutes remaining, and at the conclusion of his questioning we will recess for lunch for an hour and then begin with Senator Leahy. Senator Patrick Leahy (D - Vermont). At what time? Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Whatever, an hour from the time we end. Senator Patrick Leahy (D - Vermont). I see. I'm sorry, I didn't hear that part. Thank you. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). All right. Have you had a chance to peruse it? Professor Anita Hill. Yes. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Thank you. Professor Anita Hill. Thank you. Senator Joseph Biden (D - Delaware). Now I apologize to my colleague for the interruption.
Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Professor Hill, now that you have read the FBI report, you can see that it contains no reference to any mention of Judge Thomas' private parts or sexual prowess or size, et cetera, and my question to you would be, on something that is as important as it is in your written testimony and in your responses to Senator Biden, why didn't you tell the FBI about that? Professor Anita Hill. Senator, in paragraph 2 on page 2 of the report it says that he liked to discuss specific sex acts and frequency of sex. And I am not sure what all that summarizes, but his sexual prowess, his sexual preferences, could have - Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Which line are you referring to, Professor? Professor Anita Hill. The very last line in paragraph 2 of page 2. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Well, that says - and this is not too bad, I can read it - "Thomas liked to discuss specific sex acts and frequency of sex." Now are you saying, in response to my question as to why you didn't tell the FBI about the size of his private parts and his sexual prowess and "Long John Silver," that that information was comprehended within the statement, "Thomas liked to discuss specific sex acts and frequency of sex"? Professor Anita Hill. I am not saying that that information was included in that. I don't know that it was. I don't believe that I even mentioned the latter information to the FBI agent, and I could only respond again that at the time of the investigation I tried to cooperate as fully as I could, to recall information to answer the questions that they asked. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). Professor Hill, you said that you took it to mean that Judge Thomas wanted to have sex with you, but in fact he never did ask you to have sex, correct? Professor Anita Hill. No, he did not ask me to have sex. He did continually pressure me to go out with him, continually, and he would not accept my explanation as being valid. Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pennsylvania). So that when you said you took it to mean, "We ought to have sex," that that was an inference that you drew? Professor Anita Hill. Yes, yes.