Statement From National Urban League President & Ceo, Marc H. Morial On The Nomination Of Judge Sonia Sotomayor To U.S. Supreme

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2009

CONTACT:
Amber Jaynes
212-558-5487
ajaynes@nul.org

STATEMENT FROM NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT & CEO, MARC H. MORIAL ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR TO U.S. SUPREME COURT 

The National Urban League commends President Obama for his decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor appears to be an eminently qualified judge with the intellectual heft, strong record and common touch that is needed in a Supreme Court justice. We believe the President has made an outstanding choice. Because of the National Urban League’s long-standing commitment to civil rights and social justice, we have a unique responsibility to our constituents to carefully evaluate and influence important national issues, including nominations to the United States federal courts, which play a critical role in protecting the civil rights of African Americans.

In evaluating a federal judicial nomination, the National Urban League’s primary concern is whether a nominee's record demonstrates a commitment to upholding civil rights, equality of opportunity and social justice. Our initial review of Judge Sotomayor's record indicates that she meets these criteria. Prior to this nomination, the National Urban League shared our views with the President and senior Administration officials. We are pleased that the President took such great thought and care in this tremendously important appointment and sought the input of the National Urban League and many other diverse groups. The result is the selection of a highly qualified nominee whom we believe will make an outstanding Supreme Court Justice. We urge the Senate to promptly move forward on Judge Sotomayor's nomination and look forward to continuing to work with President Obama on this and future judicial nominations to ensure that our nation's courts fulfill their mission of ensuring equal justice under the law to all.

Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League is available for interviews. Please contact Amber Jaynes at 212-558-5487 or ajaynes@nul.org.

### About Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, the National Urban League: Marc H. Morial, as President of the National Urban League since 2003, has been the primary catalyst for an era of change -- a transformation for the nearly 100 year old civil rights organization. His energetic and skilled leadership has expanded the League’s work around an Empowerment agenda, which is redefining civil rights in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between Whites and Blacks as well as rich and poor Americans. Morial, who served as the Mayor of New Orleans from 1994-2002, was a popular chief executive with a broad multi-racial coalition who led New Orleans’ 1990’s renaissance, and left office with a 70% approval rating.

With vigor and creativity he passionately attacked the city’s vast urban problems. Violent crimes and murders dropped by 60%, the unemployment rate was cut in half, and New Orleans’ poverty rate fell according to the 2000 Census. Elected by his peers as President of the bi-partisan U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), Morial served during the 9/11 Crisis and championed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federalization of airport security screeners. About the National Urban League Established in 1910, the National Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates.

There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 36 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 1 million people nationwide through program, advocacy and research. Visit www.nul.org.

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