First black woman federal judge in Florida sworn in

[Freddie Stubbs]

MIAMI - The first black woman to become a federal judge in Florida was sworn in Tuesday after U.S. Senate Democrats dropped roadblocks to President Bush's judicial nominees.

"I'm going to do my best to do my best," Marcia Cooke promised an audience of fellow judges, attorneys, family, friends and court employees. She called her parents forward to help her slip on a judicial robe in her favorite color - black.

U.S. District Judge Donald Graham, another black judge who read the oath to Cooke, said the scene in the ceremonial Central Courtroom was "quite fitting" as a sign of 21st century change.

A Depression-era mural of Miami industry depicting blacks as manual laborers and portraits of judges dating to the 18th century, all but one male, reflected "a court that is distinctive but not diverse," Graham said.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8871052.htm

[James T. Kirk]

1. Hooray!

another link:

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/19/State/Senate_confirms_Fla_j.shtml

Approved 96-0 by the Senate!

I think it was wrong to hold up her nomination, especially considering the need for judges and the overwhelming approval by the senate.

This was long overdue.