[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 21010-21011]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CONFIRMATION OF JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, among the most gratifying aspects of the 
confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor for me was meeting her mother 
Celina. Anyone who knows their story knows how much Justice Sotomayor 
owes to her mother. She paid tribute to her mother during her opening 
statement at the confirmation hearing last month when she poignantly 
said: ``I want to make one special note of thanks to my Mom. I am here 
today because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother 
Juan and me. Mom, I love that we are sharing this together.''
  One of the good things about the hearing was that Americans were able 
to meet Celina Sotomayor, a woman admired across America. I will never 
forget her own participation at that hearing. She sat just behind her 
daughter, nodding in agreement when her daughter spoke. She followed 
the questions and answers, the give-and-take. She was focused, 
protective and justifiably proud of her daughter.

[[Page 21011]]

  Justice Sotomayor's story is her story too. Justice Sotomayor's 
triumph is her triumph too. This confirmation is the realization of the 
American dream that she lived and for which she worked, sacrificed and 
overcame adversity. She is an inspiration to us all.

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