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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906

Judiciary Committee Sees the Wisdom in Voting for Sotomayor

WASHINGTON

NOW applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee's 13 to 6 vote
recommending confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme
Court.

"At the risk of upsetting Senator Sessions, I am pleased that this
'wise Latina' is one step closer to joining Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
on the high court," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "As the first
Hispanic justice and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor will add a
much needed perspective to a bench dominated by white males."

The full Senate is expected to vote on Sotomayor's confirmation by the end of next week. NOW will be watching the vote closely.

"Racism and sexism have driven far too much of the public discourse
about the superbly qualified Sotomayor, and all the fiery temperaments
on display last week during her Senate confirmation hearing -- those
outrageous questions and comments -- seemed to belong to privileged
white men," said O'Neill. "Sotomayor's impressive experience should
guarantee her a strong vote on the floor, and her notable rise to the
high court should serve as inspiration to women and girls across the
country and around the world."

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.