Hearings yield ‘sense of history’

Donna Carlson West, s member of the ,trizons House of Representatives from Mess, was among those in Washington, D.C., last week to endorse the nomination of Sandra O’Connor of Arizona as a Justice of the lf. S. Supreme Court. The following guest column includes some of her impressions from that event. By DONNA CARLSON WEST ‘ I always have the sense of being “on the scene” of history being made when I visit this nation’s capitol, • but this time, it’s different. I am a part of history being made. Being here as a representative .of the people of Arizona and as a woman particiapting in the hearings on President Reagan’s nomination of the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court . is almost overwhelming. I’ve testified at congressional hearings before, but suddenly I’m very cognizant of the fact that what I say in my testimony may well be read by future generations as they review the proceedings surrounding a significant event in our history. As I sit here with my youngest son, Douglas, who is sharing this special experience with me, I listen intently to the questions posed to the lady I’ve known for many years, Her quick and brilliant replies make me very proud. Proud of the President for keeping a commitment he made and proud at the competent woman he has chosen to become an associate justice on the Supreme Court. Everyone seems to be listening intently as if they are expecting her to hesitate or falter as the senators take turns in firing difficult questions at her. She doesn’t I