Local reaction to first Hispanic nominated to Supreme Court

A Southeast Texas business leader and a judge are celebrating President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

The Federal Appeals Court Judge is the first Hispanic nominated to the nation's highest court.

Judge Lupe Flores has a receipt on his desk from when his mother-in-law had to pay a poll tax in 1961.

The judge says it's a reminder of the strides our country has made in his lifetime.

"But the fact is, people paid. A lot of Hispanics, a lot of African Americans, a lot of women paid to vote," says Judge Lupe Flores.

Flores says he's happy with the nomination of the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court, Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

He can identify with her humble beginnings.

"I stand on the shoulders of countless people," says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

If her nomination is confirmed, Sotomayor would become the first Hispanic, and only the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Elias Hernandez owns a Port Arthur food products business. Hernandez has been waiting a long time for the day Hispanics are represented at that level of government.

"Amount of people we have now, Hispanics in this country, I think it's time we had somebody up there we can relate to," says Elias Hernandez.

"I was the first Hispanic American in the District Attorney's office, first Hispanic American as city judge and first Hispanic American elected as city wide judge in Jefferson County," says Flores.

Judge Flores and Hernandez both say they can relate to the nominee.

"Representation at that level is something unusual," says Hernandez.

Representation that gives pride to a longtime business owner, and a man who has spent decades in the criminal justice system.

Both celebrating the diversity Sotomayor would bring to our country.

"Over 50 years people have been fighting these fights. But obviously times are changing," says Flores.

Changing in a way both men hope will further unite our nation.

Sotomayor had bipartisan support when President George H.W. Bush appointed her to federal district court, and when President Bill Clinton appointed her to a circuit court.

President Obama challenged the senate to move quickly on confirmation hearings so she can be in place when the court begins its new term in October.

Senate Republicans pledge to give her a fair hearing, but say they will thoroughly and strongly question her.