An Historic Moment for Us

On Thursday August 6, by a vote of 68-31, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. On Saturday, August 8, Sonia Sotomayor was sworn-in as associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Today is an historic moment for us.

Judge Sotomayor’s outstanding qualifications and inspiring life story won her broad bi-partisan support in the Senate, and from the American people. She will be the Court’s third woman and its first ever Latina.

“Today is a historic day for the American people. With the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States, the American people will gain a justice with broad legal and judicial experience. Having worked as a big-city prosecutor, corporate litigator, a federal trial judge, and an appellate judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Sotomayor brings a keen legal mind, a commitment to the Constitution, and more judicial experience to the high court than anyone confirmed in the last 70 years.

“Today is also a day to recognize and be humbled by the American Dream. Judge Sotomayor’s story shows that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can achieve immense success in our country. And as the first Latina justice and the third female justice to serve, Judge Sotomayor will be an inspiration and a role model for millions of Latinos and women.

“This confirmation is further proof that change has come to Washington with the election of President Barack Obama. I congratulate him and Judge Sotomayor for this important victory on behalf of the American people.”