Senate Confirms First Asian Pacific American Woman As Federal Appellate Judge

Press Release

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) voted today in support of Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed her nomination by a vote of 93 to 3. With this confirmation, Judge 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 Senator 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 United States 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.

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