Sotomayor is sworn in as first Hispanic on US Supreme Court bench

Aug 8, 2009, 15:22 GMT

Washington - Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in Saturday to the US Supreme Court, making her the first Hispanic to serve on the country's highest bench.

The swearing-in of the 55-year-old came two days after the Senate voted 68-31 to approve President Barack Obama's controversial pick.

Sotomayor had faced fierce opposition from Republicans who argued she was a leftist incapable of keeping her personal views separate from court decisions.

The court allowed the swearing-in for the first time to be carried live on television - seen as a further sign of the event's significance. Presiding Judge John Roberts officiated.

Sotomayor is the second woman along with Ruth Bader currently serving on the nine-judge bench, and the third woman in its history.

A handful of Republicans had joined the majority Democrats in backing Sotomayor in Thursday's Senate vote, handing President Barack Obama a key victory early in his administration and an opportunity to leave his stamp on the Supreme Court.

   Sotomayor, a New York appeals court judge and daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, had said in a speech in 2001 that she was hopeful a 'wise Latina' would make better decisions than a white man.

The remark was a major focus of four days of gruelling Senate testimony in July. Republicans voiced concerns Sotomayor would step outside the law to advocate on behalf of minorities.

   During the testimony, Sotomayor expressed regret for the comment while maintaining the remarks were largely misunderstood. She was also credited for her deft handling of the hearings while avoiding taking stands on thorny political issues like abortion, gun control and affirmative action.