LOS ANGELES – This week the United States Senate began confirmation hearings on the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman to serve on the Court since it was first established in 1789.
Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the leading Latino civil rights organization, today issued the following statement in support of her nomination:
“After a careful review of Judge Jackson’s professional record, as required by MALDEF board policy, MALDEF announces its strong support for her confirmation as the second woman of color, joining Justice Sonia Sotomayor, serving on the United States Supreme Court.
“First, her education and legal experience indicate that she is extremely well-qualified to serve on the nation’s highest Court. No matter what veiled bias may invoke to undermine this fact, Judge Jackson is plainly exceptionally prepared to serve on the Supreme Court.
“MALDEF evaluation criteria also include an assessment of the nominee’s knowledge and understanding of the critical importance of civil rights issues in our nation’s jurisprudence. In this respect, Judge Jackson would clearly bring a well-informed perspective, forged from her unique and substantial personal and professional experience.
“Finally, in light of the growth of the Latino community and the likely length of nominees’ tenure on the Court, MALDEF also assesses every nominee for awareness of and openness to learning more about the specific law-related concerns within the Latino community. Here too, MALDEF is satisfied that Judge Jackson’s record indicates an ability and commitment to understanding the concerns of the Latino community as more and more cases before the Court will emanate from or directly concern Latino community members and issues.
“MALDEF urges the swift and fair consideration of Judge Jackson’s nomination by the Senate, and MALDEF urges that she be confirmed as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.”