May, 26 2009, 11:32am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Michelle Ringuette: 202 341 7057
Working Women and Men of SEIU Hail Supreme Court Nominee as Extraordinary Choice for Today and Tomorrow
WASHINGTON
Statement of SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and Change to Win Chair Anna Burger on President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States:
"Some choices are made for today; others are decided with the future in mind: this choice is right on both counts.
"President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is an outstanding choice no matter how you look at it. This president has again proved that he understands the importance and long-term significance of his decisions, and working women and men all around this country recognize that President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the nation's highest court represents a strong stride forward in this country's commitment to justice and excellence.
"There are few people with Judge Sotomayor's legal acumen and accumulated wisdom. But beyond her brilliance, her three-decade career in the law and her distinguished record, Judge Sotomayor's personal story of achievement has given her a rare insight into the lives of people who get up and go to work each day to make a better life for their families. Her journey from a public housing project in the South Bronx, to the most respected institutions in this nation, to courthouses, to the President's side, this woman has seen the best of what this country can offer and she is dedicated to keeping that dream within the reach of all Americans.
"The daughter of a nurse and a factory worker who instilled in her the value of hard work and giving back, she is a woman who has always earned her way to the top of the class and found ways to use her accomplishments to enhance the lives of others. Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years. She is an extraordinary choice for this moment and for the future challenges this country will see."
With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.
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