View Thompson’s Letter to President

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issued the following statement after President Barack Obama announced that he has chosen Judge Sonia Sotomayor – who was born and raised in the South Bronx - to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“President Obama has made an outstanding choice in selecting Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor has a long and accomplished career as a jurist, and is recognized for her intellectual rigor. During her career, she has earned the deep respect of her peers on the bench, and she is now poised to shatter another barrier by becoming the first Latino to serve on the Court. I join many New Yorkers in applauding our President on a wise choice, and look forward to her confirmation by the Senate and yet another unprecedented moment in our nation’s history when Judge Sotomayor is elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Thompson has twice written President Obama to urge him to consider a Latino and Sotomayor for the court. In his most recent letter – available at www.comptroller.nyc.gov - Thompson wrote: “She possesses truly stellar credentials and reflects jurisprudence at the very highest levels. Her appointment would no doubt bring additional insight and add much needed diversity to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Sotomayor, who currently serves on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, would succeed Justice David Souter. Sotomayor will now have to proceed through confirmation hearings this summer.

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