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CHC Endorses Sotomayor
(Washington DC) -The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) announced that the 24-Member group has formally endorsed Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. In endorsing Judge Sotomayor, the Members of the CHC stressed her distinguished experience and qualifications as the basis for the endorsement. Judge Sotomayor brings more federal judicial experience than anyone nominated to the Supreme Court in the past 100 years, and more overall bench experience then anyone nominated in the past 70 years.
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is proud to endorse such a qualified and distinguished individual for the highest Court in the land," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez, the Chairwoman of CHC. "Throughout her life, Sonia Sotomayor has demonstrated an unequivocal dedication to justice and equality. Her commitment to judge impartially is unparalleled. Judge Sotomayor's personal story of emerging from public housing to become one of our nation's finest legal minds is an inspiration for all of us. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to move forward swiftly in approving this historic nomination."
"The nomination of Sonia Sotomayor is proof that the American Dream is in reach for everyone willing to work hard, play by the rules and give back to their communities, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic background," said Senator Robert Menendez, the lone CHC Member in the Senate, stressed the experience that Judge Sotomayor will bring to the Supreme Court. "But let's be clear: we get to be proud of this nominee because she is exceptionally qualified. We get to be proud because of her vast knowledge of the law, her practical experience fighting crime, and her proven record of dedication to equal justice under law."
Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, 1st Vice Chair of the CHC and Chair of the Civil Rights Task Force, noted that this is not the first time the CHC has weighed in on Supreme Court nominations, or other federal judicial nominations. He said "the CHC has actively played a role in previous nominations to the courts and fully endorses Judge Sotomayor's nomination. Her commitment to equal justice and right of access to the courts; her efforts in support for Congress' constitutional authority to pass civil rights legislation; and her efforts in support of protecting employment, immigrant and voting rights, as well as educational and political access for all American make her the ideal person to serve on the Supreme Court."
"Judge Sonia Sotomayor is the best-qualified candidate that President Obama could have nominated to the Supreme Court," said Congressman Jose Serrano, who represents the Bronx. "She has more experience deciding cases than one could hope for in a nominee. She has shown herself to be fair and impartial, and clearly believes justice must come before ideology."
"Her nomination has generated particular excitement in Puerto Rico, where her parents were born. Many Americans, both Puerto Rican and not, find inspiration and motivation in her personal journey. Armed with little more than the fierce love of her family and an old set of encyclopedias, this determined little girl from a Bronx housing project has gone to Princeton, to Yale, to our country's most hallowed legal institutions-and now, if confirmed, to the highest court in the land," said Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, who represents Puerto Rico and once served as it's Attorney General. "The broad-based support that Judge Sotomayor has received is a testament to her professional excellence. She would bring to the Court a wealth of experience as a judge, prosecutor, and attorney in private practice. Her varied legal background will provide her with a unique ability to decide the wide range of issues that come before the Court."
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