The Supreme Court may soon get its first Hispanic member – and she will be a New York City woman.
President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday, May 26 that he nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who grew up in the Bronx and has been working as a federal appeals judge in New York City, to fill the seat that will soon be vacated by Justice David Souter.
“Over a distinguished career that spans three decades, Judge Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice,” Obama said on Tuesday morning as he stood with Sotomayor to make the announcement.
Sotomayor grew up in a Bronx public housing project and went on to attend Princeton University and Yale Law School before beginning her prestigious career as a lawyer and judge. She worked as an assistant district attorney under legendary Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau before joining a private law firm where she worked with international corporations in the United States.
After her time in the private sector, Sotomayor served as federal district court trial judge before her current position as a federal appellate circuit court judge. During the nomination, Sotomayor talked about the challenges of the complexities of the law and her appreciation for the founding fathers who developed those principles more than 200 years ago.
“It would be a profound privilege for me to play a role in applying those principles to the questions and controversies we face today,” Sotomayor said.
Meanwhile, many people in the New York City and Hispanic communities rejoiced at Obama’s selection.
“Her uniquely American story of rising from a humble background to overcome numerous obstacles, coupled with her professional experience at nearly every level of the judicial system, make her an outstanding choice,” said Queens and Brooklyn Congressmember Nydia Velázquez. “Not only will she bring a balanced approach to legal issues that will benefit all Americans, but, importantly, this historic selection adds needed diversity to the Court.”
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that when he met with President Obama earlier this month he told him that Sotomayor would make an excellent appointment to the Supreme Court.
“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,” Bloomberg said.
Although much of the local reaction and statements from Democrats have been positive about Sotomayor, it is still unclear if Republicans will try to block her confirmation when the hearings come up.
