Hispanic and Latino Americans became the first Supreme Court Associate Justice of Hispanic or Latino origin. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, and the Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC), founded on March 19, 2003, are two organizations that promote policy of importance to Americans of Hispanic descent. They are divided into the two major American political parties: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is composed entirely of Democratic representatives, whereas the Congressional Hispanic Conference is composed entirely of Republican representatives. Hispanics and Latinos have participated in the military of the United States and in every major military conflict from the American Revolution onward. 11%
Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court nomination Judiciary Committee on July 28, 2009, which then voted out a recommendation to the full Senate. Chairman Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont said he expected Sotomayor to be in the "mold of Justice Souter, who understands the real-world impact of the Court's decisions, rather than the mold of conservative activists who second-guess Congress." Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said, "Her confirmation would add needed diversity in two ways: the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court." Russ Feingold of Wisconsin said that "from all accounts, she is a highly qualified and very experienced judge." Orrin Hatch