ProgressOhio

In the East Room of the White House, the President and the First Lady hosted a reception to celebrate some history being made. Members of Justice Sotomayor's family and friends, leaders of the Hispanic community, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, judges from the federal Courts of Appeals, and others inspired by the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor gathered for a reception, and to hear a few words from the President and America’s first Hispanic Justice.

The President once again recounted Justice Sotomayor’s "only in America story," coming from humble beginnings in the Bronx to a stellar career in the law, and her gratefulness for the opportunities her country afforded her along that journey:

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 every child who will grow up thinking to him or herself, if Sonia Sotomayor can make it, then maybe I can, too.  (Applause.)  It's about every mother or father who looks at the sacrifices Justice Sotomayor's mother made, and the successes she and her brother have had, and thinks, I may not have much in my own life, but if I work hard enough, maybe my kids can have more.  It's about everyone in this nation facing challenges and struggles in their lives, who hear Justice Sotomayor's story and thinks to themselves, if she could overcome so much and go so far, then why can't I?

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 endures and this is the symbol of its faith."

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 endures; faith that "equal justice under the law" is not just an inscription in marble, but an animating ideal of our democracy; faith that in this great nation, all things are still possible for all people.

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.

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