46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES SENATORS REPRESENTING NEW MEXICO TO SUPPORT A SENATE FLOOR VOTE ON THE NOMINATION OF MIGUEL ESTRADA TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS.

WHEREAS, on May 9, 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Miguel A. Estrada to fill a vacancy on the United States court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Estrada's credentials are uncontested, beginning with his mastery of the English language and American culture upon his arrival in the United States as an immigrant from Honduras and his graduation magna cum laude from Columbia university and Harvard law school; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Estrada has received support from liberal and conservative colleagues alike who attest that he is one of the most brilliant and effective appellate lawyers in the nation; and

WHEREAS, organizations that support Mr. Estrada include the league of united Latin American citizens; the United States chamber of commerce; the Hispanic national bar association; the Hispanic business roundtable and the Latino coalition; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Estrada would be the first Hispanic to sit on the United States court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit, an important and prestigious position within the federal courts of appeals; and

WHEREAS, over one and one-half years have passed since Mr. Estrada's nomination without a vote on the United States senate floor; and

WHEREAS, the United States senate judiciary committee has issued a favorable report to the senate but because of partisan politics democratic senators threaten to filibuster a senate floor vote;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Honorable Pete Domenici and the Honorable Jeff Bingaman be requested to work to allow a vote on the floor of the United States senate on the appointment of Miguel Estrada to the United States court of appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the Honorable Pete Domenici and the Honorable Jeff Bingaman.