NEW YORK—With the U.S. Senate’s confirmation hearing underway, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Council Member Larry Seabrook issued statements endorsing Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court last week.
“I am committed to stand in firm support of Judge Sotomayor. She represents the American story, she is a champion of the law, and she was a fearless and effective prosecutor, a respected corporate litigator, a bold trial judge, and an outstanding, tough and thoughtful jurist with a commitment to community,” stated Council Member Seabrook, the chairman of the Council’s Civil Rights Committee, on Wednesday.
He also questioned the length of time it has taken to confirm a Hispanic judge, and referenced the challenges experienced by an African-American Justice Thurgood Marshall, whose confirmation process took seventy-eight days.
“Thurgood Marshall came under the most brutal attacks from white racist segregationists. They said he was too liberal, too lazy and too unqualified,” noted Council Member Seabrook. He went on to comment that most of the nominees in the past have been confirmed within two weeks of their nominations.
Mayor Bloomberg voiced his unequivocal support for Judge Sotomayor’s nomination in front of the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. on Thursday.
“Judge Sotomayor has all of the key qualities that I look for when I appoint a judge. First, she is someone with a sharp and agile mind, as her distinguished record and her testimony make clear. And as a former prosecutor, commercial litigator, district court judge and appellate judge, she brings a wealth of unique experience,” stated the mayor. “I strongly believe she should be supported by Republicans, Democrats, and independents —and I should know, because I’ve been all three,” he added, drawing a laugh from the distinguished audience.
Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor is a federal judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals, and President Obama’s nominee for the position of the eleventh U.S. Supreme Court Justice. If confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic and the third female to hold this honorable post.
“I am committed to stand in firm support of Judge Sotomayor. She represents the American story, she is a champion of the law, and she was a fearless and effective prosecutor, a respected corporate litigator, a bold trial judge, and an outstanding, tough and thoughtful jurist with a commitment to community,” stated Council Member Seabrook, the chairman of the Council’s Civil Rights Committee, on Wednesday.
He also questioned the length of time it has taken to confirm a Hispanic judge, and referenced the challenges experienced by an African-American Justice Thurgood Marshall, whose confirmation process took seventy-eight days.
“Thurgood Marshall came under the most brutal attacks from white racist segregationists. They said he was too liberal, too lazy and too unqualified,” noted Council Member Seabrook. He went on to comment that most of the nominees in the past have been confirmed within two weeks of their nominations.
Mayor Bloomberg voiced his unequivocal support for Judge Sotomayor’s nomination in front of the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. on Thursday.
“Judge Sotomayor has all of the key qualities that I look for when I appoint a judge. First, she is someone with a sharp and agile mind, as her distinguished record and her testimony make clear. And as a former prosecutor, commercial litigator, district court judge and appellate judge, she brings a wealth of unique experience,” stated the mayor. “I strongly believe she should be supported by Republicans, Democrats, and independents —and I should know, because I’ve been all three,” he added, drawing a laugh from the distinguished audience.
Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor is a federal judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals, and President Obama’s nominee for the position of the eleventh U.S. Supreme Court Justice. If confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic and the third female to hold this honorable post.
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