 "Photo: Edmarc Hedrick/The Daily Texan")
Local leaders gathered on the steps of the State Capitol on Thursday in support of President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Members of law enforcement, local elected officials and citizens of the Austin community attended the rally to voice their approval of the nomination to Texas Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. Congress will vote on Sotomayor’s confirmation to the Supreme Court before the Court’s new term begins in October.
If confirmed by Congress, Sotomayor would become the third female and the first Hispanic justice to serve on the Supreme Court.
Despite some media criticism claiming that Sotomayor’s ethnicity would cause an unfair bias in her judicial decisions, Sam Holt, a representative of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, said he supported the nomination.
“She will administer justice fairly, and we’re looking forward to working with her,” Holt said.
Austin police Cmdr. Sean Mannix, who serves on the Austin Police Association board of directors, said Sotomayor’s distinguished judicial career will provide her with the experience necessary for the role of Supreme Court justice.
“Sonia Sotomayor has three decades of judicial experience,” Mannix said. “We recognize the depth of experience she will bring to the Supreme Court.”
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said Sotomayor’s personal achievements also qualify her as an exemplary individual. A first-generation U.S. citizen, Sotomayor grew up in public housing in the Bronx. She was valedictorian of her high school class and attended Princeton University on a full scholarship. She then received her doctorate from Yale Law School.
“She was determined to work hard to succeed in life despite challenges she faced,” Leffingwell said. “I believe wholeheartedly that she can, and will be, a fair and effective justice.”
Government senior A’Lys Lawrence, president of UT’s Student Leaders Pursuing Law, said Sotomayor’s journey from growing up in public housing to becoming a Supreme Court nominee shows her resilient character.
“I think her story is incredible,” Lawrence said. “President Obama made a great choice, and as a black female, it’s really inspirational to me.”
