PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Support Judge Edward Chen's Nomination
  1. Signatures
    218 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. Sen. Mitch McConnell (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY)
      • Sen. Harry Reid (NV)
  2. Created By
    Asian American Justice Center
About this Petition Petition Letter

Please help us ask the Senate leaders to give fair consideration before the August recess to the nomination of Judge Edward M. Chen, an outstanding jurist being considered for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

President Obama nominated Magistrate Judge Edward M. Chen to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in August 2009. Judge Chen has been waiting to be voted on by the full Senate longer than any other nominee this Congress despite broad support.  With the upcoming August recess fast approaching, however, it's possible that Judge Chen might have to wait even longer for a vote.

Magistrate Judge Edward M. Chen has a reputation as a balanced, fair, and unbiased jurist based on his nine year record as a judge and enjoys broad support from the judiciary, the litigation bar and legal community, and law enforcement.  Judge Chen was rated "Unanimously Well Qualified" by the American Bar Association.

Judge Chen would be the first Asian Pacific American Article III judge in the history of San Francisco. This is especially significant given that some of the most infamous cases affecting Asian Pacific Americans - including United States v. Korematsu, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, and Lau v. Nichols - were first decided by the federal district court in San Francisco.  Further, the absence of an Asian Pacific American Article III judge in San Francisco is particularly shocking given that approximately 35% of the population in San Francisco is Asian Pacific American. 

 

Recent Signatures

Support Judge Edward Chen's Nomination

To the Honorable Harry Reid and Honorable Mitch McConnell:

I am writing to support Judge Edward Chen's nomination as a federal district court judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Chen has waited almost one year for his nomination to be voted on by the Senate - longer than any other nominee. As his nomination nears its one-year anniversary, it is critical that his nomination be considered for a vote by the full Senate before it enters its August recess.

For nine years, Judge Chen has demonstrated that he has made the transition from zealous advocate to balanced, fair, and evenhanded jurist. As a U.S. magistrate judge, he has over 300 published opinions on a range of subjects, having only been overturned twice by the Court of Appeals. Judge Chen was also rated "Unanimously Well Qualified" by the American Bar Association, a thorough process that examined his record as a judge and attorney.

Judge Chen has mainstream values and a reputation as a balanced, fair, and unbiased jurist. Judge Chen has waited long enough. The Senate should vote on Judge Chen's nomination before the August recess.

Thank you for your consideration,


[Your name]

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