Hot on Facebook

Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Obama: Sotomayor's Rise an 'Inspiration for Generations'

White House holds reception for new justice

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 12, 2009 10:40 AM CDT

(AP) – President Obama today celebrated the rise of Sonia Sotomayor to become the Supreme Court's newest member and first Hispanic, hailing her story and achievement as an inspiration for generations. "When Justice Sotomayor put her hand on that Bible and took that oath ... we came yet another step to the more perfect union that we all seek," Obama told a White House reception for Sotomayor.

The gathering was packed with her family and friends, as well as the lawmakers, advocates, Hispanic community leaders and others who helped shepherd her confirmation through the Senate. "Because while this is Justice Sotomayor's achievement, the result of her ability and determination, this moment is not just about her. It's about every child who will grow up thinking to him- or herself, ‘If Sonia Sotomayor can make it, then maybe I can too.’"

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama embraces new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor during a reception in her honor, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

New Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor smiles in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a reception in her honor. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

President Barack Obama applauds new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

President Barack Obama embraces new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a reception in her honor. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It is our nation's faith in a more perfect union that allows a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx to stand here now.
- Sonia Sotomayor

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Hey, Lefties: This Supreme Court Should Scare You

Obama too timid on federal nominees, with big issues coming

(NEWSER) - With big issues working their way toward the Supreme Court on such vital issues as health care reform, same-sex marriage, affirmative action, and police stops of undocumented immigrants, liberals need to be on guard, writes longtime court-watcher Emily Bazelon for the New York Times . Sure, there are solid progressives, such as Obama appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. But frequent swing vote Anthony Kennedy, while he may side with liberals on occasion, has a voting record on par with Ronald Reagan. More»

McCain Will Vote Against Sotomayor

Senator unable to support a 'judicial activist'

(AP) - John McCain says he'll oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when the Senate votes on her confirmation this week. Despite Sotomayor's efforts to distance herself from her record, the Arizona Republican said today, Sotomayor is a judicial activist who has used her position as a judge to try to change the law. More»

Graham: I'll Vote for Sotomayor

'I feel this is the right vote for me, and quite frankly, for the country,' Graham said

(NEWSER) - Lindsey Graham intends to vote for Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, Talking Points Memo reports. "I believe she is well qualified,” said the senator, one of her more aggressive questioners. "She's definitely more liberal than a Republican would have chosen, but I do believe elections have consequences." President Obama "deserves some deference on my part," Graham said. More»

GOP Attacks on 'Empathy' During Hearings' First Day

Republicans stake out a position against judicial 'empathy'

(NEWSER) - With Republicans unlikely to be able to block Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, it seems they’ve settled for drawing a stark contrast between President Obama’s philosophy of law and their own, writes Andrew Cohen for CBS News. During statements today, GOP senators repeatedly attacked Obama’s comments that “empathy” and “understanding people’s hopes and struggles” are essential qualities for a judge. More»

Women Indeed Dominated Obama's Court List: Insiders

With field narrowed to 4, prez slept on it

(NEWSER) - President Obama's short list for his Supreme Court pick consisted of four women: Solicitor General Elana Kagan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, US Court of Appeals judge Diane Wood, and the eventual selection, Sonia Sotomayor. By Friday, Obama thought he was ready to make the pick, but decided to take the weekend to make sure he was certain, insiders tell the Huffington Post. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

More from Business Insider »

More from HuffPost Entertainment »

Why Newt Gingrich is 'the most disliked politician in...

Good day, bad day: February 16, 2012

Hacked: How China is stealing America's business secrets

More from The Week »

Tim Geithner’s ‘Silly Little Smirk’ Not Appreciated

Obama Still Hasn’t Replaced Reggie Love

New Jersey Gay Marriage Bill Ready for Chris Christie Veto

More from Daily Intel »

Grading Every Team's Top Pitching Acquisition

CFB Matchups We'd Love to See

Latest First-Round NFL Mock Draft

More from Bleacher Report »

PDA Alert! Jennifer Lawrence Kisses Beau Nicholas Hoult in...

Whitney Houston Wake: Private Viewing Planned Tomorrow

Liam Hemsworth: Miley Cyrus Is a 'Hunger Games' Fan (PHOTOS)

More from Celebuzz »

Baby Born on Valentine's Day With Heart-Shape Birthmark and...

Niagara Falls Tightrope Walk Won't Be That Scary

Kate Middleton's Valentine's Day Gift for William May Have...

More from The Stir »

Actress Apologizes for Faking Broken English in Political Ad

Ad Agency Changes Its Name in Tribute to Jeremy Lin

Ad of the Day: Callaway

More from Adweek »

About Us

What is Newser?

What Newser Does

Who's Behind Newser?

6 Myths About Newser

What People Are Saying

Contact Us

Advertise on Newser

Site

Help

How Do I Use Newser?

Why Should I Register?

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Suggest a Story

Newser By Users

Writer Central

How to Write a Summary

How to Get Your Summary Promoted

NBU Forum

Community

Discuss on Facebook

Social Networks

Site Maps

Story Index

User Story Index

Top Sources

Tools

RSS

Mobile

More News

AP News Wire

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

© 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved.

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Obama: Sotomayor's Rise an 'Inspiration for Generations'