Obama makes history by picking first Hispanic for Supreme Court

US president Barack Obama chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to become America’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice yesterday, praising her as “an inspiring woman” with both the intellect and compassion to interpret the constitution wisely.

Obama said Sotomayor has more experience as a judge than any member of the high court had when nominated, adding she has earned the “respect of colleagues on the bench, the admiration of many lawyers who argue cases in her court and the adoration of her clerks, who look to her as a mentor”.

Standing next to Obama at the White House, Sotomayor recalled a childhood spent in a housing project in the Bronx as well as her upper-echelon legal career: “I strive never to forget the real world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses and government.”