Senate Proceeding on Aug 5th, 2009 :: 3:03:30 to 3:18:25
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3:03:28 to 3:03:49( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: and confirmed as a judge of the third circumstance. i as circuit and i ask unanimous consent record. objection, so ordered. the senator from new jersey. before i make my remarks, i ask

3:03:30 to 3:18:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Frank Lautenberg

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Frank Lautenberg: unanimous consent jennifer mach, a member of thetaff senator fro mr. merkley, be admitted to the floor. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. lautenberg: mr. president, today's an auspicious day, in my view.

3:04:14 to 3:04:35( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: i've had 25 years of service now to the united states senate. and this is one of those moments when what we in history forever. thopportunity to nominate a

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Frank Lautenberg: distinguished jurist to the highest point in this country. i rise to express my strong support nomination of a distinguished

3:04:57 to 3:05:18( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: jurist, sonia sotomayor, to become a supreme court justice of the united states confirming the the constitution and to confirm fairness to all the people in

3:05:19 to 3:05:40( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: our country the law continues uninterrupted. in newark, new jersey, t exists venerated courthouse that bears my name. on the entrance to this courthouse is that says "the true measure of a

3:05:41 to 3:06:03( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: democracy justice." that our beloved country. i authored that quote after considerable thought and i truly believe that it reflects a principle value upon which our nation was founded. and we must scrupulously insist

3:06:04 to 3:06:24( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: these values endure throughout our government and our legal system and particularly in our nation's highest court. now, based on her history, my meeting with justice sonia sotomayor and her testimony before the senate judiciary

3:06:25 to 3:06:45( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: committee -- i use the word "justice" because she has been a distinguished judge in the appellate court -- i have no doubt that if sotomayor will pursue the fair, wise, and unbias dispensation of justice.

3:06:46 to 3:07:07( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: that's why i believe that we must confirm judge sotomayor's appointment without delay. when i had a private meeting with her she confirmed her unwavering commitment to the equity of our american justice system, her knowledge of the law, and her enormous responsibility that she

3:07:08 to 3:07:28( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: has to i conveyed to her the excitement that we are of new jersey, that president obama's nominee grew up in a poor, urban environment, in the bronx and geographically with new jersey, with a people starting at the bottom

3:07:29 to 3:07:51( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: and succeed determination, education, and hard work. we also discussed a shared admiration for justice cardoza renowned for his intelligence let and his applying precedent. now, i seived

3:07:52 to 3:08:12( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: sell years at a bearing his name where i saw the achievements of renowned legal scholars and i feel so deeply that sonia sotomayor will be remembered one day as an outstanding member of the most revered and the world. during our

3:08:13 to 3:08:33( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: sotomayor and i came to realize that we had a through our personal histories. the phrase "only in america" truly and i can say that with a special understanding. humble beginnings were the touch stones that enabled each of us

3:08:34 to 3:08:54( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: to achieve beyond any parents' dream. i grew up in jersey, hard scrabble ml town and our but left inheritance of valuable values with no valuables. my parents sought an opportunity in this country to be free and

3:08:55 to 3:09:15( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: make a living. we were obligated, if we had the opportunity, to make sure we gave something back to the community in which we lived. judge sotomayor's family moved here if puerto rico and she grew up in a housing project where

3:09:16 to 3:09:36( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: she saw upfront and close the struggles of people living in poor areas. like my father, judge sotomayor's dad died at a very young age and her mother, like mind, became a widow at a very young age. and she became a single mother,

3:09:37 to 3:09:57( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: like mind. judge sotayor's mother had to raise her face of available, social, and financialqw adversity. in fact, her mother worked two jobs to supports her children and despite the many difficulties, judge s has reached the highest rungs of

3:09:58 to 3:10:19( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: our society. at britain stop anat britain stop anat prince stop she achieved high academic honors she prosecuted murder and robbery and assault cases and from the d.a.'s office she became a corporate litigator

3:10:20 to 3:10:40( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: and rose to partner at a prestigious new york law firm. and while there, she threw herself into her job and became an expert on trademark and intellectual propert her career then led her to the bench where she has been a federal judge for the last 17 years -- that's pretty good time

3:10:41 to 3:11:02( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: for testing. the truth sotomayor comes to this nomination process with more judicial experience than any supreme court n century. think about it. think about it when the detractors try to sully her reputation.

3:11:03 to 3:11:28( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: before she became a judge long before she appeared before the judiciary committee where she demonstrated a remarkable command of the law and comfort with her knowledge, judge sotomayor carved out a reputation as a brilliant legal mind. and yet in one of the most scour

3:11:33 to 3:11:53( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: lousscurilous half truths out there about judge sotomayor after president picked her to be his nominee with their sight settled on whoever it might be you with in this instance we have one of the more distinguished scholars of the law to be able to honor honor us at the same time.

3:11:54 to 3:12:14( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: they tried to paint her as a radical and they her as a bully and try to paint her as lacking in intelligence but there was absolutely no place in her judicial record to use anything serious against her. they want down the path of personal destruction that is a

3:12:15 to 3:12:36( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: habit around here. they picked through her speeches. they zeroed here and another there to try to discredit her as nothing more than an affirmative action choice. i want to get o straight: judge sotomayor represents the best that this country has to offer.

3:12:37 to 3:12:57( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: she's a role model for all americans and so, a source of great pride for the latino community. by any standard judge sotomayor is exceptionally well qualified to serve of the supreme court. with 17 years of judicial

3:12:58 to 3:13:19( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: experience and 12 the second circuit court of appeals, she is well equipped for the task justice. and if confirmed, she'll, shell be the only member of the supreme court who has previously sworn a trial judge robe.

3:13:20 to 3:13:41( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: the experience should not be overlooked. right now, justice souter, whom judge sotomayor who relays on treplace onthe court is the only justice with a trial court background. earlier this year before justice souter announced his retirement

3:13:42 to 3:14:07( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: chief justice roberts said the court's knowledge was a flaw. they handle civil and cases and see impact of the law on ordinary americans. while on the trial bench, judge

3:14:11 to 3:14:33( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: sotomayor handled 450 cases. put directly, her experience is varied, multifaceted. what's more she was appointed to the bench by both democrat and publican presidents. did they have bad judgment if i think not. her record proved that.

3:14:34 to 3:14:54( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: on any fair examination of her judicial record including than 400 published opinions as a federal appellate court judge it shows she is balanced in her approach, takes in all the facts and follows precedent. her legal reasoning has been consistently admired for

3:14:55 to 3:15:17( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: applying the law fairly and her opinions reveal nothing more than a strict adherence to the rule of law. the american before association has given her its highest rating calling her -- and i quote -- "well qualified." that's a distinctionf significant importance. mr. president, this nomination

3:15:18 to 3:15:38( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: is an incredibly important ment for our country. the supreme court makes decisions that determine the very contours of our country's future. it has a direct say on the rights or lack of rits that our children and grandchildren will have. the court decides whether big corporations

3:15:39 to 3:16:00( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: claim to justice than the little guy, and the court sets the table for government power, whether it goes unchecked or is responsible to the people. that's the domain critical. the ruling of the court affects everyday people from new jersey and every day across this

3:16:01 to 3:16:25( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: country to all americans. the framers of the constitution created a balances with three coequal branches. no one understands that better than during her confirmation hearing -- and i quote -- "the task of a judge is not to make law. it is to apply the law."

3:16:26 to 3:16:46( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: and after consideration, careful consideration, i've concluded that i must vote "yes" on the confirmation of judge sotomayor shown judicial restraint, and she will prove to be a strong and indep court.

3:16:47 to 3:17:07( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: like many americans, i'm sure i won't always agree with every decision that she makes, but i have the comfort of knowing, of believing that she will resolve legal questions with an open mind, will put the rule of law above any personal beliefs, her judicial record is

3:17:08 to 3:17:30( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: her professional and academic credentials are impeccable, and her story is inspiring. i've waifed and listened carefully -- i've watched and listened carefully to what she had to say during her confirmation hearings and when we met in person. her life has been one of breaking down barriers, and i look forward to seeing her break on

3:17:31 to 3:17:52( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: and for those reasons, mr. president, i am honored to support judge sotomayor's breakthrough nomination, and i hope that my colleagues will step up and vote their conscience and vote their beliefs and not inject any of the insignificant things that

3:17:53 to 3:18:08( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: we've seen discussed all over the place until this. her in an overwhelming majority, which is what she and country deserve.