Letter to the Editor: After Marcia Cooke’s death, South Florida needs another Black female federal judge
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
It took nearly 80 years before an African American woman was appointed as a judge to the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
On Oct. 20, 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Marcia Cooke to this position. The U. S. Senate confirmed her appointment with a vote of 96-0, with 4 senators not voting.
Judge Cooke served the people of the southernmost counties in Florida with distinction and honor. Unfortunately, she passed away last year, leaving a void in the hearts of her friends and colleagues on the bench and in the bar.
Her untimely death also resulted in the absence of any African American woman serving as a district court judge in our federal trial court – a court, which has time and time again demonstrated its importance, influence, and diversity to the nation.
We have confidence that our Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott understand the significance of maintaining the legitimacy and respect for our court in the eyes of the public.
With that in mind, it is crucial to make every effort to appoint exceptionally competent, wise, and distinguished judges who will uphold the law, and represent the entire community.
In memory of Judge Cooke, we urge President Biden and Sens. Rubio and Scott, as well as our members of Congress Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Fredricka Wilson to join and support the nomination and appointment of another highly qualified and capable African American woman to the upcoming vacant seat created by Judge Robert Scola who will take senior status on the court this fall.
By doing so, our community can continue to have confidence in our district court as a beacon of excellence that truly reflects the people it serves.
Irene Oria,
Partner, FisherBroyles, LLP and Past President of the Hispanic National Bar Association
Scott J. Silverman,
Retired Circuit Court Judge and Court Historian for Miami’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit
H.T. Smith,
Past President, National Bar Association.
