Tucson, AZ – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor by President Obama to serve as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:

“Today’s announcement of the nomination of Federal Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Justice on the United States Supreme Court is historic in many ways. She is the first Latina to be nominated, will be the third woman to serve, and is a true American Dream story–work hard, overcome adversity, and attain great opportunities.

“Judge Sotomayor has a diverse record of her understanding of the law and the workings of the judicial system. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the last 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone in the past 70 years.

“President Obama nominated Judge Sotomayor because she has the knowledge, leadership, diligence, and full understanding of the judicial system to serve this country’s highest court.

“In the opening remarks to receive this nomination, Judge Sotomayor stated it is a humbling honor in her life, and in many ways it is a humbling honor for this country to see such an impressive and experienced nominee recognized and serve in the Supreme Court.

“I have no doubt that Judge Sotomayor will protect the U.S. Constitution. During her previous nominations hearings she pledged her commitment in a strong statement about the U.S. Constitution, “We should do honor to it.”

“It is fitting that Judge Sotomayor is nominated this month, the 55th anniversary of the first case argued by a Latino in the Supreme Court. The case, Hernandez v. Texas entitled Mexican Americans, and other Latinos, to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. On this anniversary and remembrance, we as a country, can celebrate that one more barrier has been removed to ensure equal representation for all.”