Minorities

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today the largest monetary payment ever obtained by the department in the settlement of a case alleging housing discrimination in the rental of apartments. Los Angeles apartment owner Donald T. Sterling has agreed to pay $2.725 million to settle allegations that he discriminated against African-Americans, Hispanics and families with children at apartment buildings he controls in Los Angeles. The settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer.    » read more »

New Initiative provides platform for Latino community to support passage of strong climate legislation

Washington, D.C. (October 14, 2009) – Voces Verdes, an innovative platform designed to highlight the Latino community’s support for strong climate and clean energy legislation was launched today by La Onda Verde, the Latino arm of the Natural Resources Defense Council, in partnership with America Verde and Common Ground for Conservation.    » read more »

As Prepared

June 23, 2009 -- "I thank Senator Menendez and Senator Schumer for their outstanding statements to the Senate today. As I review Judge Sotomayor’s record in preparation for her confirmation hearing on July 13, I am struck by her extraordinary career and how she has excelled at everything she has done. I know how proud her mother Celina is of her accomplishments.    » read more »

Washington DC -- June 22, 2009 -- The NAACP issued the following statement today in response to the United State Supreme Court Ruling in the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Eric Holder, a case challenging Section Five of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“The NAACP commends the Supreme Court Justices today for upholding one of the most crucial enforcement provisions of the Voting Rights Act,” said Benjamin T. Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP. “As Chief Justice Roberts wrote in the majority opinion, ‘[t]he historic accomplishments of the Voting Rights Act are undeniable.’ In 2006 Congress voted to reauthorize Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and now in 2009 the Supreme Court has upheld Section 5, “President and CEO Jealous continued.    » read more »

The NAACP wants you to get tested

June 22, 2009 -- Through the ACT Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI), the NAACP has renewed its commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The AAALI seeks to integrate interventions into existing programs within longstanding traditional African American organizations. Similarly, the NAACP seeks to educate, empower, and mobilize all members and constituents about the importance of getting tested.    » read more »

NAACP Applauds U.S. Senate for Passing Bipartisan Resolution Apologizing for the Enslavement and Racial Segregation of African-Americans; Urges U.S. House to Pass Concurrent Resolution Swiftly

WASHINGTON DC—The NAACP commends the United States Senate today for its passage of a historic resolution apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans.    » read more »

United States Senator Roland W. Burris Delivers Floor Statement on Senate Resolution to Apologize for Slavery

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Roland W. Burris today delivered a statement on the Senate floor supporting Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) for their introduction of a resolution to apologize for slavery, Jim Crow laws, and policies of segregation and hate.

Senator Burris made the following remarks from the Senate floor:    » read more »

Senator Impressed with Judge's Personal and Professional Experience

June 10, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Kent Conrad left his meeting today with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor saying he was impressed with the federal judge’s vast experience and background.

“I had a productive meeting with Judge Sotomayor and learned more about her background and how she would interpret the Constitution,” Senator Conrad said after the one-on-one meeting. “We need justices who will impartially interpret the law and the Constitution and also possess a record of sound judgment.”    » read more »

National Law Enforcement Organizations Endorse Judge Sonia Sotomayor For The United States Supreme Court

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Vice President Joe Biden was joined today by representatives from eight national law enforcement organizations, who together announced their support for and endorsement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court.

With these endorsements, law enforcement organizations from around the country stand firmly behind Judge Sotomayor’s nomination. These groups know her record on crime: as a prosecutor and then on the federal bench, Judge Sotomayor has always been both fair and tough, and has followed the rule of law at every turn.    » read more »

HHS Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report on Health Disparities; Minorities, Low Income Americans More Likely to Be Sick, Less Likely to Get Care

June 9, 2009 -- U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report on health disparities in America and participated in a White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussion on the importance of reform that reduces disparities that exist in our current health care system. The new report Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap is available at www.HealthReform.gov .    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen made the following statement today after meeting with Judge Sonia Sotomayor:

"In my meeting today with Judge Sonia Sotomayor, she told me that coming from New York, working as a prosecutor and later as a federal judge, you've got to be tough. And she showed that toughness today by keeping our meeting despite fracturing her foot this morning.

"Throughout the meeting, I was greatly impressed with Judge Sotomayor. I already knew that she was intelligent and independent. I now know that she is also warm and engaging, and I found her to be very down to earth.    » read more »

Schumer Unveils New Analysis Showing Sotomayor's Moderate Record On Immigration Cases; Review Of Close To 850 Cases Shows She Ruled Against Asylum Claims 83 Percent Of Time

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), the chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, released a new analysis Tuesday of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s judicial record on immigration-related cases, showing she ruled against asylum claims 83 percent of the time, a rate that places President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee squarely in the judicial mainstream.

Schumer said the figures, which had not previously been compiled, undercut attempts by Sotomayor’s critics to paint her as a judge whose decision-making is influenced by factors other than the rule of law.    » read more »

Nelson Statement On Meeting With Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Nominee To The U.S. Supreme Court

June 9, 2009 – Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson released the following statement after meeting today with Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s nominee to replace Associate Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I was pleased to meet with Judge Sotomayor today and I am impressed with what I have learned so far about her life, career and views. We had a very good discussion about the role of the different branches of government, her history on the bench and previous cases, and her judicial philosophy.    » read more »

Withholds decision on Sotomayor until after confirmation hearing

June 9, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today met with United States Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

After the meeting, the senator made the following comments.

Senator Martinez said:

"She is not only a delightful person, but also a very deep thinker about judicial issues. As a longtime lawyer, I enjoyed the conversation about issues of jurisprudence, the role of the judiciary, and the role of a judge.

"She is very bright and very much someone who would fit in very well at the Supreme Court.    » read more »

WASHINGTON -- June 9, 2009 – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday announced that hearings to consider the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court will begin on July 13.    » read more »