CAPAC Chair Applauds Confirmations of Edward Kiel and Eumi Lee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Edward Kiel as U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey, who becomes the first Korean American federal judge in New Jersey and Eumi Lee as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) issued the following statement:
“Judge Kiel’s vast legal experience and deep dedication to the rule of law makes him eminently qualified to serve in this role. As the son of North Korean refugees who fled during the Korean War and brought their family to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream, Judge Kiel brings critical lived experience to the bench in addition to his qualified, accomplished professional background.
“Judge Lee has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to equal justice throughout her career, from co-authoring the amicus brief of Fred T. Korematsu in Rumsfeld v. Padilla to serving as the first Korean American judge on the Alameda County Superior Court. With this confirmation, Judge Lee will be a great asset to our federal judicial system.
“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Judge Kiel and Judge Lee on their confirmations, and I thank CAPAC Members Senator Booker from New Jersey and Senator Padilla from California for their recommendations of these two exceptional individuals. I renew my praise of Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership on these successful confirmations and President Biden’s continued efforts to ensure that our judicial system reflects the diversity of our nation.”