Senate confirms O’Connor 99-0

All-male tradition on top court ends

WASHINGTON – The Senate , ending an all-male tradition nearly two centuries old. unanimously confirmed Sandra Day O’Connor as an associate justice of the Supreme Court on Monday. Mrs . O’Connor, a 51-year-old Arizona state appeals judge , will be sworn in Friday in time to join the court for the opening of its 1981-82 term on October 5. The vote was 99-0. with only Sen. Max Baucus. D-Mont .. who was attending an economic conference in his home state, missing from the tally. He had supported Mrs. O’Connor in earlier committee action. “Today is truly a historic occa- sion,” said Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, leading off a series of 22 speeches in warm praise of President Reagan’s first high court nominee. Hailing a “happy and historic day,” President Reagan said in a statement the confirmation of his nominee “symbolizes the richness of opportunity that still abides in America – opportunity that permits persons of any sex, — age or race, from every section and walk of life. to aspire and achieve in a manner never before even dreamed about in human history.” As the vote neared. a small knot of conservatives who had questioned Mrs. O’Connor’s views on abortions fell into line behind her nomination. Jesse Helms. R-N.C .. leader of the most conservative bloc of Senate Republicans. voted for Mrs . O’Connor. saying he talked to the president and was assured that Mrs. O’Connor shares Reagan’s opposition to