AMERICA: US gets first Indian circuit court Judge

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed an Indian-born American as a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is Sri Srinivasan.

In a statement marking the historic event, President Obama said:

"I’m pleased the Senate unanimously confirmed Sri Srinivasan to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 

"Sri is a trailblazer who personifies the best of America. Born in Chandigarh, India, and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Sri spent nearly two decades as an extraordinary litigator before serving as Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. 

"Now he will serve with distinction on the federal bench. Sri will in fact be the first South Asian American to serve as a circuit court judge in our history. 

"While I applaud the Senate’s action, it’s important to remember that this confirmation is the first one to this important court in seven years. The three remaining vacancies must be filled, as well as other vacancies across the country."

The U.S. Congress marked another important milestone this year when the first Hindu legislator took office. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard took the oath of office on the Gita.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard