Sotomayor Represents Hopes And Dreams Of Hispanic Community

By Jonathan Bronstein, Talk Radio News Service

Raised by a single parent and a product of the New York public school system who eventually went on to graduate from Princeton and Yale Law School, Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor’s story resonates with many Americans. She was able to overcome obstacles and elevate her status in society through hard work.However, Sotomayor’s nomination was important for another reason. She is the first Hispanic judge to be nominated to the nation’s highest court.

“Now to see a Latina nominated to the Supreme Court, we believe this is a great step forward for America,” said Jimmy Reina of the Hispanic Bar Association, which represents 100,000 Hispanics in the legal profession, today at a press conference praising the Sotomayor’s nomination. Reina said that having a Hispanic on the Supreme Court would bring an increased amount of “trust and confidence in the legitimacy in the United States justice system” because her nomination demonstrates to all minorities that the system is equal and fair to all.

Brent Wilkes of the League of United Latin American Citizens said that “she is an absolutely brilliant jurist who will serve the nation well, and she is the first Latino/a nominated to the Supreme Court breaking a glass ceiling that for our community has been very troublesome over many decades.”

Roel Campos, the former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman, and first Latino to hold this position, commented on the importance of having a minority in such a high position. “I was the first Hispanic Commissioner of the SEC and it makes a difference. It sends a message that America is moving forward,” said Campos.

None of the speakers believed that Sotomayor would face serious trouble that would jeopardize her confirmation because she received bi-partisan support during her previous confirmation hearings.

Wilkes gave a stern warning to any Republicans who would stand in the way of her confirmation because of “the length of time the Latino population has waited for this nomination it has been a long time, and the hopes and aspirations are all tied up in this nominee and the last thing they want to do is dash those hopes.”

Obama Names Sotomayor As Supreme Court Justice

By Annie Berman, Talk Radio News Service

Today at the White House, President Obama announced federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor as the widely-anticipated replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. If confirmed, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic woman to serve on the bench, and the third woman in history.

A native of New York, Sotomayor, 54, was born to Puerto Rican parents. After her father died she was raised in a single family household.

Sotomayor attended Princeton University where she graduated summa cum laude in 1976. Later, she attended Yale Law School where she was the editor of The Yale Law Journal.

After graduation from law school in 1979, Sotomayor served as an Assistant District Attorney to New York County District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. In 1997, Sotomayer was nominated by President Bill Clinton to her current position.

Sotomayer’s most famous case was the 1994 baseball strike. Sotomayer issued the preliminary injunction against Major League Baseball which prevented the MLB from implementing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and using replacement players. Her ruling in this case ended the strike one day before the 1995 season.

Obama had only praise for Sotomayor. “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,” he said. Obama added that he hopes Sotomayor may begin her tenure with the court when it begins its term in October.  

After Obama spoke, Sotomayor thanked her mother and brother for their support, and the President for the nomination. “I chose to be a lawyer and ultimately a judge because I find endless challenge in the complexities of the law.”  

Sotomayor now faces a daunting confirmation process with the U.S. Senate. 

Senate Judiciary Committee concerned over low income legal assistance

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened today to discuss low-income legal assistance. The hearing on “Closing the Justice Gap: Providing Civil Legal Assistance to Low-Income Americans,” was heard by one senator and had two witnesses testifying. Although it is law in this country that legal assistance can be provided to all, no matter income status, there is a growing concern that proper legal assistance to those who need it is not being provided.

Helaine M. Barnett, President of Legal Services Corporation and Jonann C. Chiles, Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation were on hand to testify. They spoke about their corporation and their mission including the requested budget from the federal government and how they utilize it. In Senator Leahy’s submitted testimony, he says “The LSC and the many organizations it funds work to ensure that the least fortunate among us are able to have their voices heard in civil court, and, in turn, their rights protected.” The LSC was present today to discuss the state of this industry and the need for funding.