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WORLD> America
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Sotomayor to be sworn in as justice
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-08 20:22 WASHINGTON: Sonia Sotomayor, her family and friends are gathering at the Supreme Court for her swearing-in as the court's first Hispanic, third woman and 111th justice.
Sotomayor, 55, has been a federal judge for 17 years. President Barack Obama nominated her in May to take the place of Justice David Souter, who has retired. The Senate confirmed Sotomayor's nomination Thursday by a 68-31 vote. Before she can begin her new job, though, she has to take two oaths. In a private ceremony in the justices' conference room, Roberts will administer an oath that the Constitution requires of all federal officials, to "support and defend" the Constitution. Then, in a public ceremony that is expected to be aired live on some cable networks, he will give Sotomayor a second oath in which she pledges to "administer justice" fairly and impartially, as prescribed by a 220-year-old federal law. After that, the newest justice can get to work, although the court won't hear arguments until Sept. 9, in a key campaign finance case.
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