Pat Dowell, Candidate for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District Statement on the Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (Cook County, IL) — “The nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court is historic and much needed. As the first Black Woman on the court, Judge Brown Jackson will bring a new voice – a voice that reflects her life’s experiences.”

“Ensuring diverse voices amongst the justices is more important than ever as the court considers a calendar of cases that strike at the heart of who we are – and who we want to be – as a nation.”

“Judge Jackson is an excellent choice – a brilliant legal mind with a judicial temperament that will bolster the integrity of the Supreme Court. A swift confirmation is in our country’s best interest,” said Alderman Pat Dowell, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 1st District.

“This week, Mayor Lori Lightford and I gathered with my Chicago City Council colleagues to sign and send a Resolution to President Biden and the US Senate Judiciary Committee supporting the nomination of a Black Woman to serve on the Supreme Court. In part, it read: “Strong Black female leaders play an important role throughout our society and within our government, and the United States Supreme Court should avail itself of the unique and important prospective Black female leaders provide”

The full text of the Resolution is below.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NOMINATING A BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT

WHEREAS, It is with great respect and admiration that we express our support for your commitment to nominating the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the Supreme Court’s 233-year history, all but seven justices have been white men; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring diverse voices amongst the justices is more important than ever as the court considers a calendar of cases that strike to the heart of who we are – and who we want to be – as a nation; and

WHEREAS, These decisions must reflect the depth and breadth the American people, and be made using the shared knowledge, ideals and history that can only be found through a diverse and equitable set of Supreme Court justices; and

WHEREAS, Strong Black female leaders play an important role throughout our society and within our government, and the United States Supreme Court should avail itself of the unique and important prospective Black female leaders provide; and

WHEREAS, The United States boasts numerous highly-qualified Black female candidates from both the private and public sectors, including respected federal and state judges, legal scholars, law firm partners, public prosecutors and defenders, and current and former Department of Justice staff; and

John Heiderschedit, Criminal Defense Attorney; Subscription Lawyer; Chicago Lawyer

WHEREAS, Whichever Black female nominee is put forward for consideration by the full United States Senate, we share your confidence that they will uphold the integrity of the Constitution, and offer their legal brilliance, emotional intelligence, commitment to justice, and passion for our Democracy that is both forged from the Black female experience, and expected of all Supreme Court justices; and

WHEREAS, We the undersigned stand with you in support of nominating a Black female Supreme Court justice and pledge to work with you to fulfill this historic commitment; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here in assembly this 23rd Day of February, 2022 A.D., do hereby support President Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to President Joseph R. Biden, and the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate.

Pat Dowell, Candidate for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District Statement on the Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson