Legal Momentum Statement on Confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor

A Victory for the Ideal of Impartial Judiciary

August 6, 2009 -

For Immediate Release

New York and Washington DC - In reaction to the United  States Senate historic vote confirming Sonia Sotomayor to the nation's highest court, where she will join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as one of two women on the court, Irasema Garza, President of Legal Momentum, said the following:

"The Senate's confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor is a victory for the ideal of a fair, impartial, open-minded judiciary steered by the best and brightest jurists of our generation. 
 
"Sotomayor has proven herself for 17 years in the nation's federal court system; when she joins the Supreme Court in September, she will become the one of the most experienced federal jurists to take the bench in the nation's history. 
 
"In addition to her formidable qualifications, and unparalleled experience, Sotomayor - a Latina from a working class family- is an important new face for the Court, which has remained remarkably unrepresentative of our increasingly diverse nation.  Sotomayor's confirmation sends a powerful message that commitment, dedication and diligence can carry a person from humble beginnings to one of the nation's most honored and important positions within the government. 
 
"While Sotomayor's legacy will be in her opinions and decisions on cases before the Court, the impact of her appointment and confirmation, in a country where women and minorities still confront discrimination regularly, already expands far beyond that. While Justice Sotomayor's rise is already an inspiration to many, her confirmation today is an even more convincing testament to the ideals and promise of America." 

About Legal Momentum 
Founded in 1970, Legal Momentum is the nation's oldest legal defense and education fund dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls.

www.legalmomentum.org

Contact: Erin Smith, esmith@legalmomentum.org, 212.413.7516; cell, 512.203.6206

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