Sen. Joseph Biden presides over Judge Robert Bork Senate hearings

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, displays his gavel as he addresses Judge Robert Bork, nominated to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court, at the latter’s confirmation hearing on September 15, 1987. Biden said he would use the gavel to insure that Bork receives a fair hearing before the committee. (UPI Photo/Cliff Owen/Files)