NY Gov. Paterson Statement On Nomination Of Judge Sonia Sotomayor To The US Supreme Court

May 26, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to serve on the United State Supreme Court:

“Throughout her impressive life and career, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has demonstrated the integrity, leadership and intellect that make her an outstanding nominee to our nation’s highest court. I congratulate President Obama for his selection of Judge Sotomayor, a native New Yorker whose legal mind will undoubtedly benefit our entire judicial system.

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“Judge Sotomayor exemplifies what many of us regard as the American Dream. Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, she worked diligently and overcame obstacles to achieve great feats: graduating from Princeton University summa cum laude and then from Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Review. Judge Sotomayor began her legal career in public service as assistant district attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office and later entered into private practice as a commercial litigator.

“Her broad legal and judicial experiences earned Judge Sotomayor the recognition of two American Presidents. President George H. W. Bush in 1992 elevated her to the federal bench, becoming New York’s first Hispanic federal judge. President William J. Clinton in 1997 nominated her to the appellate bench, for which she received strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. Her time on the federal bench is noted for her landmark rulings, both well-regarded and carefully deliberated.

“As a woman committed to justice, Judge Sotomayor’s appointment addresses a great injustice: that the United States Supreme Court does not reflect the diversity of the society it serves. I am confident that if confirmed, Judge Sotomayor would not only bring an important and needed voice to the Supreme Court, but also inspire generations of children who should never doubt their own ambitions.

“I applaud President Obama for his decision and congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination and for all her accomplishments.”

Source: New York Governor