PHILADELPHIA, PA --  President Bill Clinton made a bold and dramatic step today as he appointed Roger Gregory to the all-white 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.  Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) praised this appointment as an “historic and important move to diversify a court serving the largest African-American population in the United States.”

“For too long critical voices in the community have not been heard.  The appointment of Roger Gregory is a necessary step for the people of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carlina, Virginia, and West Virginia,” said Congressman Fattah.  “President Clinton has done a tremendous service to the bench with this appointment.”

For the last eight years, President Clinton has been deeply committed to appointing qualified, fair judges who represent the diversity of this country.  For too long, however, the Republicans in Congress have tried to block his nominations.  Although President Clinton has nominated four qualified African-Americans to the 4th Circuit, there has never been a judiciary hearing for any of them.  A recess appointment for Gregory was deemed necessary by the Administration because this position has been vacant for almost a decade.

“Roger Gregory now follows in the tradition of such great trailblazers as A. Leon Higginbotham, a recess-appointed jurist who served the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for years and whose commitment to fairness was an inspiration for us all,” said Congressman Fattah.