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August 8, 2009

Sotomayor Sworn in as First Hispanic US Supreme Court Justice
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She was confirmed by US Senate Thursday on vote of 68 to 31 
Sonia Sotomayor (L) completes oath administered by Chief Justice John
Roberts to become Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice, in Washington,
08 Aug 2009Sonia Sotomayor has been sworn in as the first Hispanic - and
third woman - to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. The
55-year-old federal judge was sworn in Saturday in a brief ceremony at
the Supreme Court in Washington. She was initially sworn in at a
private ceremony and then participated in a public event that was
televised live - a first for the Supreme Court. U.S. President Barack
Obama did not attend the ceremony but is scheduled to hold a reception
for her at the White House Tuesday. Sotomayor was confirmed by the U.S.
Senate Thursday on a vote of 68 to 31.President
Obama said her confirmation shows Sotomayor has the intellect,
temperament, integrity and independence of mind to serve on the
nation's highest court. Mr. Obama nominated
Sotomayor, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, to replace retired
Justice David Souter. Sotomayor's leanings are close enough to Souter's
that she is not expected to change the ideological balance of the court.
During
debate on Sotomayor's nomination, many Republicans charged that she
would rule according to her personal biases. But Democrats described
her as an experienced, mainstream, moderate judge. Several Republicans
joined majority Democrats in supporting Sotomayor. Democratic
Senator Barbara Boxer of California, home to a sizable Latino
population, said Sotomayor's nomination is a proud moment for the
entire nation, including its 45 million Latinos. Some information for
this report was provided by AP.


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