Washington, DC (July 27, 2010) – Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) last week responded following the confirmation of Solicitor General Elena Kagan for Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15): “I congratulate Solicitor General Elena Kagan on her Senate confirmation for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Throughout her distinguished career, she has broken through glass ceilings, excelling in her field and gaining the recognition of her colleagues in the legal profession.
“With a strong legal, academic, and public service background, she was the first woman to serve as Dean of Harvard Law School, and as the Solicitor General of the United States. President Obama’s nomination of Elena Kagan not only shows his commitment to a highly qualified bench of the highest integrity, but also his commitment to diversity that truly reflects America.
“There will soon be three women sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court for the first time in American history. I applaud the Senate on this historic vote and once again congratulate Elena Kagan on her well deserved confirmation.”
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (HI): “Elena Kagan is widely-regarded as one of the nation’s leading legal scholars. Her public service and legal experience, work as a teacher, service as a White House and Senate aide, and representing the government as the nation’s Solicitor General, have contributed to Ms. Kagan’s intellect, judgment, and independence.
“I have no doubt that Ms. Kagan will be an exceptional addition to the Supreme Court. I had the chance to meet with the Solicitor General and was impressed with her intellect and demeanor. Her judicial temperament, integrity and ability to navigate complex issues will be an asset to our highest court. I have had the privilege of seeing the makeup of the court diversify through the years and it is a better institution because of it.”
Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI): “I was proud to support Elena Kagan’s confirmation. She is highly qualified and exceptionally intelligent, and I know that she will do a tremendous job upholding our Constitution.
“Her confirmation is another example of the positive impact President Obama has already had on our country: When she is sworn in, there will be three sitting female justices on the court for the first time in our history. The court is now closer to reflecting America.”
Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (GU): “I congratulate U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan on her confirmation as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. As the fourth female Justice in Supreme Court history, I am confident that Justice Kagan’s experiences and perspective will positively influence the Court as it seeks to impartially evaluate the laws of our nation.”
Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31): “With a lifelong record to prove it, Justice Elena Kagan will be a consensus builder on the Supreme Court and I commend the Senate for confirming her with a bipartisan vote.
“From her start as a clerk to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to her service as Dean of Harvard Law School and as this nation’s Solicitor General, Elena Kagen’s real world experiences will serve the Court and our country admirably. Thanks to President Obama, for the first time in our history, three of the nine Justices will be women the next time the Court convenes.”
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32): “With today’s confirmation of Elena Kagan, our nation’s highest court gains a sharp legal mind and a consummate consensus builder. Justice Kagan’s background as a professor, lawyer and counselor to presidents is exemplary in itself.
“I have no doubt she will continue this success during her time on the court. Ensuring women possess an equal voice at every branch of government is essential to the health of our democracy. Justice Kagan’s confirmation today represents another great step toward that goal.”
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (AS): “I want to congratulate Solicitor General Elena Kagan on her recent confirmation to the Supreme Court. She will be the fourth woman ever to serve in the nation’s highest court.
“Ms. Kagan’s confirmation reaffirms President Obama’s commitment for diversity on the federal bench. Ms. Kagan will be fair in her decisions given her extensive professional background and astute knowledge of the law. With looming issues such as states’ rights, health care reform, and immigration, Ms. Kagan’s input will be critical. Again, I want to congratulate Ms. Kagan on her confirmation.”
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono (HI-02): “I congratulate Elena Kagan on her confirmation to our United States Supreme Court as one of only three sitting women justices. In a country as diverse as ours, where women are over 50 percent of the population, her confirmation is cause for celebration.
“Ms. Kagan brings to the Court a wealth of experience as a top legal scholar, as Dean of one of our country’s premier law schools, and as Solicitor General. I expect her to serve with great distinction.”
Rep. Doris O. Matsui (CA-05): “I had the great privilege of working with Justice Kagan during the Clinton Administration. Elena has held a broad range of positions in and out of government, working on a wide range of issues and I am confident she will be a great addition to the Supreme Court bench.”
Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (CNMI): “On behalf of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, I congratulate Elena Kagan on her confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. I am confident that President Obama and the United States Senate have made a very sensible choice in selecting this extremely well-qualified person to the Nation’s highest court.
“I am particularly glad to see a third woman on the Supreme Court, which, ideally, should include a broad range of experience and be representative of our Nation at large.”
Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03): “I congratulate Solicitor General Kagan on her confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. Her scholarship and her years of service and achievements as a United States Supreme Court Clerk, practicing attorney, law professor, Dean of the Harvard Law School and Solicitor General of the United States give her superb qualifications to serve on the nation’s highest court. “
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Since 1994, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life.
For more information on CAPAC, please call (202) 225-2631 or visit http://www.honda.house.gov/capac.
