Horiwood's Blog

How exciting. After a trial by fire, Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed, Thursday as America’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

The first Latina and only the third woman in court history, Sotomayor is set to be sworn into Office this Saturday. She is the 111th justice. Ms Sotomayor is the first  justice nominated by a Democrat in 15 years.

The Senate vote was 68-31 to confirm Sotomayor. Of course most Republicans opposed Sotomayor’s nomination, the recommend of Barack Obama.

The daughter of Puerto Rican parents grew up in a South Bronx housing project. She rose above her neighborhood circumstances being educated in the Ivy League.

President Obama, said the Senate was: “breaking another barrier and moving us yet another step closer to a more perfect union.” 

 Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary Committee chairman, said: “Years from now … we will remember this time when we crossed paths with the quintessentially American journey of Sonia Sotomayor.”

“Those who oppose her for fear of her unique life experience do no justice to her or our nation. Their names will be listed in our nation’s annals of elected officials one step behind America’s historic march forward,” Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin said.

“Justice Sotomayor’s eminent qualifications and wise committee testimony shattered a glass ceiling today… History — and the fast-growing community of Latino voters — will judge these senators harshly.” said Thomas Saenz of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. 

In the two most recent confirmation votes, the Senate had approved Chief Justice John Roberts by a 78-22 vote and Samuel Alito by 58-42.

With 1 in every 4 children being Hispanic in American kindergartens, Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation today, aligns American judicial leadership with who the masses are on the ground, of American life.

Congratulations America and Sonia Sotomayor for today’s progress!

(original source- Washington – AP)