Clarence Thomas was appointed Associate Justice of The U.S. Supreme Court by President George H. W. Bush in 1991.

Thomas was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to replace Thurgood Marshall upon his retirement in in 1991. Marshall was the only African American to serve as a justice in the Supreme Court. The NAACP and other civil rights organizations opposed the appointment because Thomas criticized affirmative action and allegedly did not support the judgment in Roe v. Wade. When questioned during confirmation hearings, Thomas claimed he had not formulated an opinion on the matter.

During the confirmation hearings, information about an FBI interview with attorney Anita Hill, who had worked for him at the U.S. Department of Education, surfaced and created a scandal. She was called to testify at the Senate confirmation hearing. Hill alleged that Thomas made graphically sexual comments to her. Thomas denied the allegations and after a long debate, the committee sent the nomination for a full Senate review. Thomas was confirmed with a 52-28 vote on October 15, 1991.

• Daily Kos: Prisoner Denied Abortion Rights By Clarence Thomas (October 15, 2005)