May 29, 2009 –

"The Maryland Hispanic Bar Association supports President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court," said Association President Joseph Morales. "President Obama’s selection of Judge Sotomayor demonstrates the administration’s true commitment to diversity in Government.

"We are confident that as Congress looks into her superb qualifications, everyone will be as impressed with Judge Sotomayor's legal credentials and inspiring life story as we are. [Her nomination] once again shows that the great experiment that is our Nation continues to move towards the fulfillment of the hope and ideal that all men are created equal.”

The Maryland Hispanic Bar Association points to Judge Sotomayor’s incredible American story and three-decade distinguished career in nearly every aspect of the law as proof that she maintains unique qualifications to be the next Supreme Court justice. As a prosecutor, litigator, and trial and appellate judge, Judge Sotomayor brings 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, the statement read.

Finally, Judge Sotomayor is widely admired as a judge with a sophisticated grasp of legal doctrine and a keen awareness of the law’s impact on everyday life, the statement continued. She understands that upholding the rule of law means going beyond legal theory to ensure consistent, fair, common-sense application of the law to real-world facts.

"Judge Sotomayor brings phenomenal qualifications as a prosecutor who tried street crimes, as well as an exceptional educational and legal background to the highest court in the land. She is a judge that can put herself in another person's shoes and a judge that is tested and able to understand the implications of the law on everyone's life. With over 3000 decisions at the Court of Appeals, we trust that her record will support that Judge Sotomayor is not an activist judge, but rather a reasoned jurist who applies the law to the facts," Morales said.

"The Maryland State Bar Association undertakes the mission of providing a voice to the Latino community in the State of Maryland as it concerns the administration of justice, cultivating the science of jurisprudence, promoting reform in the law, fostering respect of the law among Hispanics," Morales said.

The MHBA's goals also include advancing the standing of the legal profession, preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers, establishing a close relationship among Hispanic lawyers, and cooperating with bar associations nationally and internationally and other legal organizations.