VOA标准英语2009年-President Obama Honors Justice Sotomayor a

There was a celebration at the White House for the first Hispanic justice of the U.S. Supreme¹ Court Wednesday. Family, friends, members of Congress, fellow judges and leaders of the Hispanic community joined President Barack Obama in applauding Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
　
Pres. Barack Obama laughs with new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at a White House reception in her honor, 12, Aug 2009

There were loud cheers in the White House East Room, as President Obama and Justice Sotomayor walked in.

President Obama said there are many reasons to celebrate.

"We celebrate the impact Justice Sotomayor has already had on people across America who have been inspired by her exceptional life story," said Mr. Obama. "We celebrate the greatness of a country in which such a story is possible."

Sonia Sotomayor was raised in government-subsidized housing in New York City by parents who came from Puerto Rico in search of a better life. Her father died when she was a young girl, and her mother worked long hours to support her two children, while instilling² in them a love of learning.

Sotomayor went on to win scholarships to prestigious³ universities, and launch a successful legal career. President Obama said she has become a role model for others.

"This moment is not just about her," said Mr. Obama. "It is about every child who will grow up thinking to him or herself, 'if Sonia Sotomayor can make it, then maybe I can too'."

The newest Supreme Court justice was confirmed by the U.S Senate last Thursday, and took the oath of office on Saturday.

In her brief remarks, she spoke⁴ about her modest upbringing, and the country that made her dreams possible.

"It is this nation's faith in a more perfect union that allows a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx to stand here now," she said.

Sotomayor, who is the third woman to sit on the high court, said she is struck by the wonder of her own life. She said she is deeply humbled⁵ by the responsibility of upholding the nation's laws, and she asked all Americans to wish her divine guidance and wisdom in her new office.

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 instilling   

v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instil的现在分词 )；逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Make sure your subordinates understand your sense of urgency and work toward instilling this in allsubordinates. 确保你的下属同样具备判断紧急事件的意识，在工作中潜移默化地灌输给他们。 来自互联网

3 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 humbled   

adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低

参考例句：

• The examination results humbled him. 考试成绩挫了他的傲气。
• I am sure millions of viewers were humbled by this story. 我相信数百万观众看了这个故事后都会感到自己的渺小。