WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., late today spoke on the Senate floor in support of President Obama's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor. If confirmed, Sotomayor will become the third woman to serve on the nation's highest court and the first Hispanic Justice.

Sen. Landrieu said:

"I had, as many of us have, the opportunity to meet with Judge Sotomayor in my office earlier this month. In addition to having an impressive professional resume, her personal journey also captured my attention.

"I believe she is the kind of person that will bring not only strong intellect and character and credibility, but a tremendous breadth of experience that will be very helpful to the Court and the issues before them today and in the near future. She is not only been a champion in many ways, but her life has been an inspiration to all Americans proving that with determination and hard work anything is possible.

"It goes without saying, she is an historic choice that will bring a wealth of experience and added diversity to the nation's highest court. When confirmed, she will become only the third woman to serve on the nation's highest court and the first Hispanic justice in the history of the United States. This is truly a remarkable turning point."