VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Very Happy With Senate Vote for Soto

U.S. President Barack Obama and Hispanic organizations are applauding the Senate's vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme¹ Court.
　
President Barack Obama speaks about the Senate's confirmation² of Supreme Court nominee³ Judge Sonia Sotomayor, 06 Aug 2009

When Sotomayor is sworn in on Saturday, she will become the first Hispanic and third woman on the nation's highest court.

President Obama says he is happy with the Senate's 68-to-31 vote to confirm Sotomayor, and he admires her intellect, temperament⁴, integrity and independence.

"They are ideals she has fought for throughout her career, and the ideals the Senate has upheld today in breaking yet another barrier and moving us yet another step closer to a more perfect union," he said.

The 55-year-old federal judge was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, and spent much of her childhood in public housing.

Marie Watteau, a spokeswoman for the Hispanic civil rights organization, the National Council of La Raza, says Sotomayor's confirmation is a big step forward for the U.S. Hispanic community and the entire nation.
　
Supreme Court Justice designate Sonia Sotomayor waves as she leaves Manhattan Federal Court, in New York, 06 Aug 2009

"It finally shows that we are being represented, we are at the table," she said. "We came out and voted in record numbers in November, and now we have a Supreme Court justice. So it really is showing the strength of our community in this country."

Some Republican lawmakers disagreed with President Obama's statement, when he nominated Sotomayor, that empathy was one quality that would enhance her performance on the bench.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says excessive empathy could lead to unfair rulings. "Empathy is a fine quality," he said. "But in a courtroom, it is only good if the judge has it for you."

Other Republicans opposed Sotomayor's nomination⁵ because she had said several years ago that her ethnicity would make her a better jurist than a white male.

Marie Watteau says Sotomayor's experience, not her ethnic⁶ background, will serve her well on the Supreme Court.

"I think she will be a good justice because she has 30 years of extensive in the law, and as is evident in her poise⁷ and thoughtful appearance before the [Senate] Judiciary Committee, she will bring that compelling life story and all that experience and a dedication⁸ to the Constitution and the rule of law," she said.

Sotomayor will replace retiring Justice David Souter, a liberal named by a Republican president. She is not expected to change the ideological⁹ balance of the Court.

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

3 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

4 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

5 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

6 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

7 poise   

vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信

参考例句：

• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise.她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。
• Ballet classes are important for poise and grace.芭蕾课对培养优雅的姿仪非常重要。

8 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

9 ideological   

a.意识形态的

参考例句：

• He always tries to link his study with his ideological problems. 他总是把学习和自己的思想问题联系起来。
• He helped me enormously with advice on how to do ideological work. 他告诉我怎样做思想工作，对我有很大帮助。