CAPAC Chair Judy Chu Commends President on Nomination of Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen to Federal Appellate Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), commended President Barack Obama today on his decision to nominate Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

“I thank the president on his inspired choice of Judge Nguyen for the Ninth Circuit Court,” said Rep. Chu. “Judge Nguyen has a proven track record as an exceptionally knowledgeable and impartial judge through her distinguished service in the federal district court for the Central District in California, and prior to that as a California state court judge for seven years. I am confident that she will continue serving the citizens of the United States with distinction on the federal appellate court.”

If confirmed, Judge Nguyen would become the first Asian Pacific American female in the history of the United States to serve as a federal appellate court judge and only the second Asian Pacific American federal appellate court judge currently in active service nationwide.

“The nomination of Judge Nguyen is long overdue and should be confirmed expeditiously,” said Rep. Chu, noting that there is currently only one active Asian Pacific American federal appellate court judge out of over 175 active federal appellate court judges in the United States. “There has never been an Asian Pacific American female appellate court judge, and there are currently no APA judges in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This, despite the fact that Asian Pacific Americans constitute approximately 10 percent of the population under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit.”

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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.