Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the Supreme Court yesterday was an historic moment for all Americans, and particularly for women and people of color. Below, I'd like to share an op-ed with you that was written by Rebecca Acuña, who works in my office, on what this historic moment meant to her as a young Latina who grew up in South Texas. It ran today as an Op-Ed in the Austin American Statesman.
Sonia Sotomayor's presence on the Supreme Court will remind young people of what they can achieve
Watching our nation's first African American president nominate the first Latina to the Supreme Court was surreal. Immediately after Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, I texted my mother, "Mom, a Latina just got nominated to the Supreme Court!" She quickly responded, "I know, how exciting!"
As I reflected on the historic nature of that nomination, I thought about the ways that I could relate to Sotomayor's life. Like her father, my mother did not speak English when she first came to the United States. My own journey to college was a long and difficult one. As an immigrant from a low-income household I spent many nights frustrated that, despite my good grades, a higher education would be unattainable. After much perseverance, and with the support and love of our family, my sister and I were the first to attend college and graduate from the University of Texas.
And while my story was not uncommon in South Texas, where I grew up, it was a story not very visible in the public sphere, and much less on the Supreme Court.
Sotomayor grew up poor in a Bronx housing project and was raised by a single mother after the death of her father. Her dedication took her to Ivy League schools and subsequently led to a rewarding legal career. However, Sotomayor's story is no less American than Sen. John Cornyn's or that of the other justices. It represents the background of the people I grew up with, and that of millions across the nation.
Estimates predict that, by 2025, one in four U.S. students will be Latino. Sotomayor's ascendance from a housing project to the United States Supreme Court will enthuse young Latinos across the country and remind them that they too have a shot at the American dream. Her presence will bolster the aspirations and shift the expectations of what's achievable for young women and Latinos from working class households.
There is no doubt that Sotomayor has excellent academic and legal credentials that make her qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. With her quintessentially American story, she will be a great role model to Americans from all backgrounds.
Obama's nomination of Sotomayor renewed and strengthened the promise that, in America, all things are possible.It has shown how much we've grown as a country since 2005, when anti-immigrant legislation was prevalent and resulted in hostility toward Latinos.
The president's nomination of Sotomayor says to me, "You too are America."
Acuña is a policy analyst and communications director in Austin for state Rep. Garnet F. Coleman. She grew up in McAllen and Laredo.
(A lot of press releases coming in today in Response to Gov. Perry, but few people have spent the time to come over and upload video or write a journal. Rep. Garnet Coleman has done both. Thank you Rep. Coleman. - promoted by Matt Glazer)
(We are lucky to have elected officials like Rep. Coleman. - promoted by Matt Glazer)
"Now, in 2003, I guess you could say a 20 foot hole was dug and the needs of the State of Texas were reduced by that 20 foot hole, the money that pays for those needs. Since then, there's been a little bit put back, and a little bit more put back there, and a little bit more put back there and now the hole is only 10 feet deep [. . .] I don't believe that it is the measurement of what's good for the State of Texas to still have us in a hole in the ground."
- Rep. Garnet Coleman on HB 1, the state budget for 2008-09
You'll find the full text of my remarks below the jump. Be sure to check my website for more updates on state government in Texas.
(An excellent, interactive explanation of the "surplus" and how quickly Republicans are hijacking the surplus for property taxes. If you want to learn about the Magical Disappearing Surplus, watch the video below. - promoted by Burnt Orange Report)
(The past two days at the Capitol can be summed up by two Perry boondoggles- TTC and TYC. Yesterday's TTC protest was huge, and our very own Garnet Coleman did a great job stirring up the crowd. - promoted by Matt Glazer)
You can find links to bills I reference in the video at my website by clicking here.
You can visit my website here to find links to many of the bills I mention in the address and other important updates about what's going on in the legislature.
This week, hundreds of Texans from all across the state descended on the Texas capitol to protest Governor Perry's decision to fast-track the construction of nineteen new coal-fired power plants. Their concerns are well-founded; coal is a non-renewable resource that pollutes our air and contributes dramatically to global climate change. As ill-founded as plans are to build new coal plants, Texas will need new sources of energy over the coming years, which is why I believe our state needs to become a leader in renewable energy by making an investment in solar power.
Texas ranks first in the nation in solar resource potential, according to the Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Unlike wind, solar power is available across the state in quantities that only vary modestly. Quite literally, any place the sun is shining is a good place for solar power. Texas' cities hold huge potential for electricity production through photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar panels which convert sunlight into electricity. If Texas had photovoltaic panels installed throughout just five percent of its urban areas, (on building rooftops, above parking garages, along roadways and so forth) they would produce half of Texas' current electrical consumption . To put it another way: Texans know how the sun beats down on them - why not put that to use?
(Earlier problems with the below YouTube video have been fixed. A great response from one of our strongest Democratic leaders. - promoted by Burnt Orange Report)
