Press Statement: NAKASEC Applauds the Confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor

For Immediate Release

August 6, 2009

Contacts:

Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773-588-9158

Eun Sook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703

Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

NAKASEC APPLAUDS THE CONFIRMATION OF SONIA SOTOMAYOR

(Los Angeles, CA) The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates, the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center in Chicago, applaud the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

“Today, the Senate voted 68-31 to confirm Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court after 18 hours of official debate during a three day period. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the full Senate, with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina being the lone Republican. With a strong academic record and distinguished career, Sotomayor is not only the first woman of color serving in our nation’s highest court, but also one of the most experienced and competent,” said Eun Sook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC.

“Since its founding in 1790, the Supreme Court has played a critical role in honoring the Constitution and its commitment to equal treatment and protection of all under the law. Today, history is made with the first Latina and third woman joining the highest law of the land. We applaud the quick confirmation of Judge Sotomayor and look forward to the valuable contribution she will make to the Court,” said Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC.

“We acknowledge the Senate leadership for the swift confirmation of Judge Sotomayor. A vacancy was effectively filled, enabling the complete Supreme Court to begin their fall term. The Supreme Court can now focus on cases that relate to issue of concern to Korean American and immigrant communities, including youth criminalization, deportation and immigrant rights, and due process,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC.

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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice on major civil rights and immigrant rights issues and promote the full participation of Korean Americans in American society.