The committee heard testimony from Supreme Court nominee and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Clarence Thomas during the first day of his reopened confirmation hearings. Judge Thomas, in his second appearance of the day before the committee, vehemently denied sexually harassing University of Oklahoma Law Professor Anita Hill when they both worked for the Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the early 1980's. Professor Hill's testimony preceded Judge Thomas' second statement. Judge Thomas characterized the hearing as a "travesty," and "a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who . . . deign to think for themselves." He also said the hearing sent a message to blacks that if they do not "kow-tow" to an old order, they will be lynched. Committee members questioned Judge Thomas on his knowledge of Professor Hill's allegations, on his relationship with Professor Hill after she left the EEOC, and possible motives for Professor Hill's testimony.