If approved by the U.S. Senate, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic and the third woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court.
Representative Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn and Queens), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Federal Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor: “Another New York woman on the Supreme Court would be truly historic. President Obama has seized a golden opportunity to add both talent and diversity to the highest court in the land. Judge Sotomayor’s intellect, pragmatism, and ability to understand the plight of everyday Americans will serve our nation well.”
Mayor Bloomberg offered his encouragement as well: “When I met with the President in the Oval Office earlier this month, I took the opportunity to tell him that Sonia Sotomayor would be an outstanding choice for the Supreme Court, and people whose legal opinions I greatly respect speak very highly of her. She has been an incredibly good federal judge, and having risen from humble beginnings in the Bronx, she brings a perspective that will serve the Court—and our nation—very well. Her story is a perfect example of the kind of opportunity that is available in this City—and this country—to those who devote themselves to their dreams. Judge Sotomayor was first recommended to the federal bench by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan—and of all his great legacies, she may prove to be one of the most important.”
Members of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus, including State Senator Ruben Diaz, also voiced their support of Obama’s nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor for the United States Supreme Court.
Chairman Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz stated: “I congratulate President Obama’s selection of Justice Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court. It is my honor as State Senator representing the district that includes Bronxdale Housing—the very housing projects where Justice Sotomayor grew up.”
Upon learning of her nomination, Senator Pedro Espada stated: “President Obama has truly honored us all with the appointment of Justice Sotomayor. Our system of justice will be well served with skill, compassion, and justice for all—a reality that all Americans can be proud of.”
Senator Hiram Monserrate said: “This is one of the proudest moments for the Latino community in New York and throughout our great nation. Justice Sotomayor is the realization of all the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Puerto Rican and broader Latino community. We salute our great President on this historic day.”
An open letter dated May 11, 2009 to President Obama from the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus called for the appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court stated: “We are honored to be able to recommend to you someone of this caliber and urge you to appoint her as your first Supreme Court Justice. The nation will be greatly served by Judge Sotomayor for many years.” This letter was signed by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, chairman, Senator Pedro Espada, Senator Martin Malave-Dilan, and Senator Hiram Monserrate.
Sonia Sotomayor was born in New York City and raised in the Bronxdale Public Housing complex in Senator Ruben Diaz’s Senatorial District. Judge Sotomayor attended Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, then graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University. Upon graduating from Yale Law School, Sotomayor went on to work as a District Attorney in Manhattan, then moved on to a law firm specializing in international law. At the age of 38 she was appointed to the federal bench. Sotomayor currently sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, based in New York.
