SR0306 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0306 LRB096 13138 KXB 27592 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to serve as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has demonstrated excellent vision in nominating a Hispanic with such deep experience to the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, Judge Sotomayor's upbringing serves as an inspiration to all, with a life story that includes being raised by a single mother from Puerto Rico in public housing in Bronx, New York; and

WHEREAS, Judge Sotomayor attended Princeton University and graduated summa cum laude; and

WHEREAS, Judge Sotomayor graduated from Yale Law School, where she served as editor of the Yale Law Journal; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Judge Sotomayor served as Assistant District Attorney in New York, fearlessly and effectively prosecuting dozens of criminal cases; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Judge Sotomayor served as a partner in a prestigious law firm in New York, primarily representing prominent corporations engaged in international business; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Judge Sotomayor was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, Judge Sotomayor was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the first Hispanic to serve on the Second Circuit, one of the most demanding circuits in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Judge Sotomayor has more federal judicial experience than any nominee in the last 100 years; and

WHEREAS, If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor's ascension to the United States Supreme Court would represent a monumental step for America and a better reflection of our national diversity, as she would be the first Hispanic and only the third woman in history to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Judge Sotomayor for this incredible honor and thank her for serving as a role model to all Americans, but particularly women and Latinas; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate our President and former colleague Barack Obama for his wisdom in selecting Judge Sotomayor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon the United States Senate to confirm Judge Sotomayor after full and fair consideration of her long and distinguished career, consistent with the Senate's constitutional obligation to fully and properly review all judicial nominees submitted by the President of the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Judge Sonia Sotomayor and all members of the United States Senate.