WASHINGTON — Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) voted Monday in support of Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed her nomination by a vote of 93 to 3.
With this confirmation, Nguyen becomes the first Asian Pacific American woman in U.S. history to serve on a Court of Appeals.
“Judge Nguyen’s confirmation marks another historic milestone for women and Asian Pacific Americans across the country,” said Akaka. “Judge Nguyen’s experience, legal knowledge, and strong judicial record made her an exceptional candidate for this position on the Ninth Circuit Court.”
Born in Vietnam, Nguyen fled to the U.S. with her family in 1975 after the fall of South Vietnam. She was confirmed unanimously to the Central District of California Court in 2009, and served as a California state court judge for seven years prior to that.
The Ninth Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the federal district courts in Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“I congratulate Judge Jacqueline Nguyen on her confirmation to the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals,” said State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco). “Judge Nguyen has had a very successful career as a federal prosecutor and judge on the U.S. District Court. Her confirmation breaks a major barrier for Vietnamese Americans and Asian American women everywhere. I commend President Obama for this excellent appointment and the Senate on the overwhelming confirmation.”