Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition Applauds Historic Sotomayor Confirmation

Justice becomes the first of Hispanic decent confirmed to the High Court.

Barack Obama and Sonia Sotomayor Courtesy: Syracuse University

(SALEM, Ore.) - In another historic day for the United States, Sonia Sotomayor has become the nation's 111th Supreme Court justice. She is also the third female and the first of Hispanic descent confirmed to the nation's highest court.

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and the largest Hispanic civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest, applauds the Senate for confirming this well-qualified judge to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In a vote of 68 to 31, Sonia Maria Sotomayor was confirmed today with two-thirds Senate approval following a morning debate. Of the 68 Senators who voted in favor of confirming her, there were only 8 Republicans. Roughly 80% of Republicans opposed her confirmation.

Justice Sotomayor, the daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, was born in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. Before being confirmed today, she had been serving as a Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

"When President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor at the end of May", said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA. "He did exactly what he promised in last year's election by selecting a person who has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the core constitutional values of justice and equality under the law."

"This is a great day for America." Lopez added. "As a daughter of immigrants, Justice Sotomayor's confirmation to our nation's highest court is a great inspiration to those seeking the American Dream."

The confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor is also historic in the sense that Latinos now play important roles in the nation's three branches of government-as cabinet members, in Congress and now in the Supreme Court.

Justice Sotomayor will be sworn in on Saturday to replace Justice David Souter. She will join her colleagues on the Supreme Court when the new term begins in October.

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Source: CAUSA, Oregon's statewide, grassroots immigrant rights coalition.