wfn.org | Metropolitan Community Churches on U.S. Supreme Court Nomination

[UfmccHq@aol.com]

>
>PUBLIC STATEMENT
>_www.MCCchurch.org_ (http://www.MCCchurch.org)
>For Immediate Release: June  1, 2009

Metropolitan Community Churches' Moderator Voices Support for  Sotomayor
Nomination

Rev. Nancy L. Wilson Urges Prompt, Civil Senate  Confirmation

>Statement by
>Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
>Office of the  Moderator
>Metropolitan Community  Churches

>STATEMENT:

This past week's historic  decisions on opposite coasts of the United
States serve as mirrors reflecting  the nation's deep divide between hope  and
fear on issues of justice and  equality.

While California residents mobilize a response to the state’s  Sup reme
Court decision to uphold Proposition 8 and end marriage equality there,
national legislators in Washington, D.C. are preparing for the confirmatio n
hearings of United States Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia  Sotomayor.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's range of service embodies the best of  U.S.
diversity in leadership. Her service to the law spans the Office of  the  District
Attorney in New York, private law practice, the federal district  court,  and
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She has been nominated to the  bench  by
Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and already has been
confirmed twice by the U.S. Senate for her earlier judicial appointments.  If
confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will be the first Latino/a to serve on the Unit ed
States Supreme Court and the third woman appointed to the court.

An  objective review of 4000 cases in which Judge Sotomayor has
participated during  17 years on the federal bench shows a  solid record  on such issues
as civil rights and employment law that places her  within the mainstream
of federal judicial appointees. She has often demonstrated  sensitivity to
victims of civil rights discrimination, employees who were  targets of hos tile
workplace discrimination, and individuals who experienced  loss due to
corporate fraud. Her most frequently cited case, ending the  1995 baseball
strike, had ramifications far beyond that year's strike.  Since her 1995  ruling,
no major sports league owners have again attempted to  unilaterally change
basic labor guidelines during work stoppages, a lasting  victory for basic
worker rights.

Today, I am joining my voice with  those calling for a civil confirmation
process and the timely confirmation of  Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Cou rt
of the United States. I urge the  members of the U.S. Senate to set aside
the divisive partisanship  and rancor that too often have marred  the
confirmation process and to fulfill its constitutional duty to "advise and   consent"
with the same fairness and justice that Judge Sotomayor's public record
gives witness to.

May Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to and service  on the U.S.
Supreme Court move our nation closer to the realization of the  promise of  justice
for all.

>/signed/

>Rev.  Nancy L. Wilson
>Moderator
>Metropolitan Community  Churches

>________________________________________

>FOR ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION, CONTACT:
>Jim Birkitt
>MCC Communications Director
>P. O. Box  691728
>West Hollywood, CA  90069
>E-mail: _info@MCCchurch.net_ (mailto:info@MCCchurch.net)
>Web: _www.MCCchurch.org_ (http://www.MCCchurch.org)

This statement prepared in conjunction with the Global  Justice Team of
Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Pat Bumgardner,  chair; Melanie Mart inez,
MCC web manager; and the MCC Communications  Department, Jim Birkitt, MCC
communications  director.

**************We found the real ‘Hotel California’ and the  ‘Seinfeld’
diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com.
(http://www.whereitsat.com/#/music/all-spots/355/47.796964/-66.374711/2/Yo uve-Found-Where-Its-At?ncid=eml
cntnew00000007)