| 00:01:2135 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the White House. I am glad all of you could be with us today as we honor the newest member of our highest Court... |
| 00:01:5633 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
We are also honored to be joined by Justice Sotomayor's new colleagues. We have Justice Ginsburg who is here -- (applause) -- as well as Justice Stevens.... |
| 00:02:2936 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I also want to thank everyone who's worked so hard to bring us to this day. I want to thank especially our Judiciary Committee Chairman, Senator Patrick... |
| 00:03:0541 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I want to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, both of whom are Justice Sotomayor's home-state senators, for their extraordinary work on her... |
| 00:03:4627 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Two members of Congress that I just especially want to acknowledge -- Senator Bob Menendez, who worked so hard on the Senate side. (Applause.) And Congresswoman... |
| 00:04:1343 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And I think we all want to take a moment to recognize the woman who, in so many ways, truly made this day possible -- Justice Sotomayor's mother, Celina... |
| 00:04:5620 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And by the way -- I don't normally do this, but let me also just thank my extraordinary White House staff who helped to usher this stuff through. We're... |
| 00:05:1650 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Of course, we're here not just to celebrate our extraordinary new Supreme Court justice and all those who've been a part of her journey to this day.... |
| 00:06:0628 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
With that vote, the Senate looked beyond the old divisions and they embraced excellence. They recognized Justice Sotomayor's intellect, her integrity,... |
| 00:06:3424 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Justice William Brennan once said that in order for government to ensure those rights for all its citizens, government officials must be attentive to... |
| 00:06:5825 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Justice Sotomayor understands those realities because she's witnessed them firsthand as a prosecutor, a litigator, and a judge, working to uphold our... |
| 00:07:2335 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And she understands these things because she's lived these things -- because her life is one of those "only in America" stories: raised by a single... |
| 00:07:5821 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And with her extraordinary breadth and depth of experience, Justice Sotomayor brings to the Court both a mastery of the letter of the law and an understanding... |
| 00:08:1914 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
That understanding is vital for the work of a Supreme Court justice, as Justice Stevens and Justice Ginsburg will testify -- the work of applying principles... |
| 00:08:3326 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
For as visionary as our founders were, they did not presume to know exactly how the times would change, what new questions fate and history would set... |
| 00:08:5915 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
When Justice Sotomayor put her hand on that Bible and took that oath, we took yet another step towards realizing those ideals. We came yet another step... |
| 00:09:141 min. |
Obama, Barack - President
Because while this is Justice Sotomayor's achievement –- the result of her ability and determination -– this moment is not just about her. It's about... |
| 00:10:3115 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Nearly 80 years ago, as the cornerstone was laid for the building that became our Supreme Court, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes declared, "The Republic... |
| 00:10:4622 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Justice Sotomayor's rise from humble beginnings to the height of achievement is yet another symbol of that faith -- faith that the American Dream still... |
| 00:11:087 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
This is a great day for America, and I know that all of us here are proud and honored to have been a part of it. |
| 00:11:1552 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And so, with that, I would like to introduce the newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor. (Applause.) |
| 00:12:0738 sec. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
No words can adequately express what I am feeling. No speech can fully capture my joy in this moment. Nothing can convey the depth of gratitude I feel... |
| 00:12:4537 sec. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
Mr. President, I have the most heartfelt appreciation for the trust that you've placed in me by nominating me. And I want to convey my thanks to the... |
| 00:13:221 min. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
I am most grateful to this country. I stand here today knowing that my confirmation as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court would never have been... |
| 00:14:231 min. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
Our Constitution has survived domestic and international tumult, including a civil war, two world wars, and the catastrophe of September 11th. It draws... |
| 00:15:4251 sec. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
I am struck again today by the wonder of my own life, and the life we in America are so privileged to lead. In reflecting on my life experiences, I... |
| 00:16:3326 sec. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
I am deeply humbled by the sacred responsibility of upholding our laws and safeguarding the rights and freedoms set forth in our Constitution. I ask... |
| 00:16:592 min. |
Sotomayor, Sonia - Associate Justice
I thank you all again for the love and support you have shown me. And I thank President Obama and the United States Senate for the tremendous honor... |