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CAPAC Praises Confirmation of Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

May 23, 2013


CAPAC Members Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Grace Meng, Ami Bera, Mark Takano, Judy Chu (Chair), Doris Matsui, Mike Honda, and Alan Lowenthal with D.C. Circuit court nominee Sri Srinivasan.


Washington DC—Today, the United States Senate voted 97-0 to confirm Srikanth “Sri” Srinivasan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements lauding his confirmation:

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair: “I congratulate Sri Srinivasan on his historic confirmation as the first Asian Pacific American to serve on the D.C. Circuit and as the first South Asian American to serve as an appellate court judge. His confirmation is especially timely since May is when we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Sri is a trailblazer for our community who brings a wealth of experience from his robust career in public service and the legal field. I thank Senate Majority Leader Reid and my Senate colleagues for Sri’s swift confirmation, and I commend President Obama for his tremendous leadership in nominating highly qualified and diverse candidates for the federal bench. With this confirmation, the President has more than doubled the number of Asian Pacific Americans serving in the federal judiciary from 8 to 20 over the course of his presidency. CAPAC looks forward to working with President Obama and the Senate to continue to strengthen and diversify the federal bench, and we wish Sri our best in his new role.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI): “Congratulations to Sri Srinivasan on his confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. I supported his nomination both on the Senate floor and in the Judiciary Committee because his intelligence and qualifications are without question. As the first South Asian American to be nominated for a federal appellate court, Mr. Srinivasan will also bring needed diversity to our federal courts.”

Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus: “I extend my sincerest congratulations to Srikanth “Sri” Srinivasan on his confirmation to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. His confirmation is historic on multiple levels: he will be the first Asian American and Pacific Islander to serve in the DC Circuit, as well as the first South Asian-American federal appellate court judge. As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I commend President Obama and his Administration for the leadership and commitment to diversity and Senator Reid for this confirmation. Srinivasan’s confirmation marks a giant step toward a more equitable representation of AAPI's on the federal bench, and it symbolizes a judiciary that better mirrors the nation it serves.”

Rep. Ami Bera (CA-07): “I’m thrilled that the Senate confirmed Sri Srinivasan to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals today. He will be an outstanding, fair-minded judge. This is a historic moment for all Indian Americans and Asian Americans, and it’s a fitting way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May.”

Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (AS): “As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we applaud the Senate’s historic confirmation of Srikanth “Sri” Srinivasan, who today was appointed as the first Asian American to serve on the D.C. Circuit and the first Indian American to serve as a federal circuit court judge.”

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02): “Sri Srinivasan made history today. As the first South Asian on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Sri will offer a unique perspective and added diversity that is long overdue in our justice system. Mr. Srinivasan has a distinguished and proven record of commitment to public service, and I look forward to his contributions to the bench.”

Rep. Doris O. Matsui (CA-06): “Srikanth ‘Sri’ Srinivasan is one of the finest appellate lawyers in the country and I am pleased that the Senate moved quickly with his confirmation.  As the first Asian Pacific American judge to be confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the nation’s second most powerful court, Mr. Srinivasan is an inspiration to the Asian Pacific American community. I look forward to watching the continued progression of his already distinguished career.”

Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41): “I’m pleased by the confirmation of Srikanth “Sri” Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Columbia Circuit. Sri is well respected within the legal community, and his extensive legal experience makes him highly qualified to serve on the D.C. Circuit. As the first Asian American in the post, Sri’s confirmation is a historic step for our country, and I applaud the President for the nomination, the Judiciary Committee for their unanimous vote, and the Senate for confirming Sri with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. Sri will be an exceptional addition to the federal bench.”


Background:

Srikanth Srinivasan is the Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. He was born in Chandigarh, India, and immigrated to the United States with his parents and two younger sisters as a child. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, before attending Stanford University for both undergraduate and graduate schools, earning a B.A. in human biology, an M.B.A., and a J.D. After graduating, he clerked for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, served as a Bristow Fellow at the Office of the Solicitor General, and clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. His career has included experience in private practice at the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers and public service at the Solicitor General’s Office.


CAPAC Members Rep. Mike Honda, Grace Meng, Ami Bera, and Judy Chu at the Senate Judiciary Hearing for Sri Srinivasan.

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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.