Tuesday, May 26, 2009

LCLAA on Sotomayor

LCLAA APPLAUDS HISTORIC NOMINATION OF FIRST HISPANIC TO U.S. SUPREME COURT

SONIA SOTOMAYOR BRINGS HIGHEST LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS TO THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT


WASHINGTON, DC –The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) applauds President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor is a distinguished judge, renowned for her acumen and public service throughout her career. Since 1998 she has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. A summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University and an editor of the Yale Law Journal, Sotomayor is a commendable choice for the nation’s highest court. President Barack Obama makes history with the selection of this exemplary judge who would be the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.



"Judge Sonia Sotomayor is more qualified than anybody currently serving on the U.S. Supreme Court at the time they were nominated. She brings a wealth of knowledge gained through her illustrious legal career and her life experiences. She will undoubtedly enrich the perspective and deliberations of the law as it applies to all people in this country. Once confirmed, Sotomayor will join Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gainsburg, the only woman currently serving on the Supreme Court bench. With the departure of Supreme Court Justice David Souter, Sotomayor will also be the only Justice with trial judge experience. She is well-qualified and posseses exceptional credentials. We welcome her nomination.," stated Milton Rosado, LCLAA's National President.



“We embrace the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the highest court of the land. This nomination inspires hope in the Latino community and all people in this country who come from humble beginnings, aspire to serve this nation and live the American Dream. There is no question that Sotomayor will adhere to the principles that America's founding fathers fought hard to achieve and will apply them to the many questions and controversies that face our nation today,” stated Dr. Gabriela D. Lemus, LCLAA's Executive Director.



“A qualified Latina in our highest court will diversify judicial deliberations, bringing the perspective of an individual who possesses first hand experience on the issues faced not only by ordinary Americans but also under-served individuals and communities. This nomination increases public confidence in our legal system by reinforcing our Constitution’s axiom of “equal justice under the law,” added Hector E. Sanchez, LCLAA's Director of Policy and Research.



Sotomayor's credentials are widely recognized across party lines. She has been nominated to judicial posts by both Democratic and Republican presidents. She has been confirmed by the Senate on two separate occasions, receiving bipartisan support. Before becoming an appeals judge, Sotomayor served on the federal district bench in New York, a position to which she was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee which will hold Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, highlighted Sotomayor's qualifications to fill the Supreme Court vacancy and commended President Obama for reaching across the aisle to consult on this nomination. LCLAA will work arduously to ensure that Judge Sotomayor receives an expeditious confirmation.



The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, LCLAA is the home of the Latino Labor Movement. LCLAA is a national Latino organization representing the interests of over 1.7 million Latino trade unionists throughout the country and the Common Wealth of Puerto Rico. LCLAA was founded in 1973 and is America’s premier national organization for Latino workers and their families. LCLAA advocates for the rights of all workers seeking justice in the workplace and their communities. LCLAA is a constituency group representing Latino workers in both the AFL-CIO and Change to Win Federation.

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