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CAPAC Applauds Nomination of Judge Florence Pan to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

April 28, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Obama nominated Judge Florence Y. Pan to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. If confirmed, she will be the first Asian American woman to serve as federal district court judge in the District of Columbia. CAPAC Members released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“I would like to congratulate Judge Pan for her well-deserved nomination to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. I am confident that Judge Pan’s strong legal background and her previous work in the federal government make her eminently qualified to serve in this role. Her nomination brings us one step closer to creating a judicial system that looks more like our country. I thank the President for his continued commitment to diversifying the federal bench, and urge the Senate to move quickly on Judge Pan’s confirmation.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

“Florence Pan’s nomination to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia marks yet another step under the Obama Administration toward a federal bench that reflects the diversity of our country. I look forward to considering her nomination in the United States Senate."

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“I was proud to support Judge Pan in her nomination to Superior Court, and I am even more pleased that she will now become the first Asian Pacific American woman to serve as a federal district court judge in the District of Columbia. Her lifetime of experience and the knowledge she has gained will make her a remarkable jurist and a wonderful servant to both the public and our laws. I want to personally thank my friend and colleague, Eleanor Holmes Norton, for recommending her and President Obama for nominating her. I trust that she will again be confirmed quickly so that she can begin this new stage in her life.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33):

“Congratulations to Judge Florence Y. Pan, nominee for the United States District Court of the District of Columbia. I believe our nation is better off when our judges, officials, and executives reflect the diversity of our country, and I commend President Barack Obama for selecting such a distinguished and accomplished individual who has dedicated her career to justice.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):

“I commend the nomination of Judge Florence Pan for the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia. Her experience as a judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney and her work at the Treasury and Justice Departments make her a very well qualified candidate. She will serve our nation well.”

Background:

In 2009, Judge Pan was nominated by President Obama to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. She was the first judicial nominee to be confirmed under the Obama Administration. Previously, she served for 10 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including two years as the deputy chief of the appellate division. She also held positions in Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice, notably in the Office of the Solicitor General. Judge Pan taught at Georgetown University Law Center and American University, Washington College of Law. She formerly served as a law clerk for the Honorable Ralph K. Winter, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge Pan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Law School.

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.