2/21/00
CONTACT
Gabriela Lemus
(202) 833-6130

As you probably know, while it has been difficult to obtain confirmation from the Senate for any Latino nominees, federal Central District Court of California Judge Richard Paez has received the most unfair opposition from conservatives in Congress. In particular, Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-OK) has promised to block all of President Clinton's judicial nominations. Judge Paez has waited for four years to be confirmed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers AK, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, and WA). This has created a state of emergency in a jurisdiction where 14 million or 35 percent of all Hispanics live.

However, promises have been made to vote on Judge Paez's confirmation as early as the week of February 22. A deal reached last October by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) requires a Senate vote on Paez to occur by or before March 15.

Now is the time that we as a community, must stand up and let our voices be heard. Our senators need to know that we support Judge Paez's confirmation, that we expect them to vote for him, and that we will hold them accountable. We are pushing not only for Judge Paez, but for other well-qualified Latino nominees as well. Julio M. Fuentes awaits Senate Confirmation for the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals (DE, NJ, and PA), while Enrique Moreno awaits Senate Confirmation for the 5thCircuit Court of Appeals (LA, MS, and TX). These are areas where large concentrations of Hispanics reside.

Senators are on recess February 16th-21st. This is a particularly good time to contact them via e-mail, phone, and letters while they are in their home state offices. Contact the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 for your senator's home office information, or access their respective websites by visiting www.senate.gov.

Judge Paez is more than qualified to sit on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has received high ratings from the American Bar Association and glowing praise from his peers. Judge Paez began his career working as a public interest lawyer. In 1981, he was appointed as a judge for the Los Angeles Municipal Court where he served for 13 years. Because of his excellent work on the bench, Judge Paez was selected to serve in a variety of leadership positions within the municipal court including serving as Presiding Judge. He was also elected to the position of Chair of the Los Angeles County Municipal Court Judges Association. In 1994, the Senate unanimously voted to confirm Judge Paez to the Central District Court of California, where he is still serving. Judge Paez has served with distinction on the federal bench and has received praise for his style from plaintiffs and defendants alike.

Federal courts have an incredible impact on our community. The need for fair representation in federal courts is indisputable. Latinos must be appointed in greater numbers and at all levels, especially to the appellate courts where most of the decisions interpreting the Constitution and federal laws are ultimately decided. ACTION IS NEEDED NOW!!! Say ¡YA BASTA!

Contact your Senators and ask them to confirm Judge Richard Paez for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. It doesn't matter whether Judge Paez is from your state; all senators have a say on whether or not any nominee will sit on the federal bench. Attached is a sample letter that you can forward to your Senators.

Should you require any additional information regarding this matter, please call Gabriela Lemus at 202/833-6130.