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New York City native Sonia Sotomayor finishes first day of confirmation hearings
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After a good luckj phone call from President Barack Obama last night, New York Native Sonia Sotomayor today was joined by her family as she went before the United States Senate for the first day in her confirmatin hearings to be the first Hispanic Justice ever to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Sotomayor sat betwen New York Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand as she appeared before the Judiciary Committee. Schumer at one point became emotional as he presented the president's nominee to his fellow Senators and asked that they act quickly to confirm her.
In New York City, where Sotomayor grew up people took time out of their days to see parts of the hearings. In East Harlem City Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito (D - Manhattan/Bronx) was joined by City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn at a watch party. Viverito said that the purpose of the watch party was to allow New Yorkers and in perticular fellow Latinas the opportunity to watch the hearings and engage in a dialogue. Both Gillibrand and Schumer also hosted watch parties in their respective D.C. Senate offices.
Most of today's hearing was spent 'with Senators offering opening remarks, after which Sotomayor gave her own opening statement, then today's hearing was adjourned; ll will resume at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Perhaps the most notable remark of the day was made by Senator Lindsay Graham (R - South Carolina), who said to Sotomayor, "You're going to be confirmed, unless you have a meltdown, which I don't think will happen." Graham expressed some concerns about Sotomayor, but did not indicate how he would vote
“President Obama made an outstanding choice in nominating Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court," said New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, a Democratic mayoral candidate. "Judge Sotomayor has a long and accomplished career as a jurist. During her career, she has earned the respect of her peers and the admiration of many others. She reflects the diversity of our country and would be a welcome addition to the Supreme Court. As a New Yorker, I am especially proud of Judge Sotomayor’s nomination and look forward to her confirmation by the Senate.”
Thompson, like New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg lobbied Obama to select Sotomayor to fill the seat vacated when Justice David Souter announced his resignation.
Bloomberg will be going down to Washington to testify in support of Sotomayor, something that he discussed with reporters at an event on Staten Island Earlier today. This reporter was there for the mayor's remarks and will bring you that story later.
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