Congressional Hispanic Caucus Celebrates Senate Confirmation of Judge Richard Paez

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), today declared that the U.S. Senate's vote to confirm Judge Richard Paez for a judgeship in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was a long-awaited victory for the Hispanic community and the judicial system.

"Judge Richard Paez's four-year-long wait has finally ended in triumph," said Roybal-Allard. "We in the Hispanic community have been keenly aware of Judge Paez's wait, and of the stalled nominations of other Hispanic judges, such as Enrique Moreno. I am pleased that today, Judge Paez has finally received the recognition and support of the U.S. Senate."

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has had six open judicial positions. Five of the six judgeships were declared judicial emergencies. Because of the shortage of judges, approximately 700 cases a year were not heard in court.

"As we celebrate, we are also compelled to question why it took the Senate four long years to confirm Judge Paez, an experienced and well-qualified nominee who is desperately needed to fill one of the six open judgeships in the 9th Circuit Court," said Roybal-Allard. "It has pained the Hispanic community to see that Judge Paez was forced unnecessarily to wait longer than anyone else in the history of the Senate."

Judge Paez's nomination was watched carefully by Hispanic groups who advocated for his confirmation. The CHC and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of the 30 largest Hispanic organizations, worked together to demonstrate the Hispanic community's support for Judge Paez.

Judge Paez, who was nominated by President Clinton in 1996, has served in the federal district court in California for the past five years. He was the first Mexican-American ever to serve as a federal district court judge in Los Angeles. For thirteen years prior, he served on the municipal court in Los Angeles.

"The confirmations of Judge Richard Paez and Judge Julio Fuentes are significant victories for the Hispanic community and all Americans," said Roybal-Allard. "However, this success does not blind us to the Senate Republicans' reluctance to confirm the nominations of other minorities. We will continue working to ensure that minority nominees receive fair treatment and due consideration."

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Congresswoman Roybal-Allard
Washington, D.C., Office: 2330 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 225-1766. Fax: (202) 226-0350.
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