Sotomayor Sworn In As First Latina Justice

Sbeen sworn in as a Supreme Court justice, becoming the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman to reach the high bench.

Judge Sotomayor is sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts as hermother Celina holds the family Bible. The 55-year-old justice was raised in a South Bronx housing project. Saturday, August 8, she raised her hand in an ornate conference room at the Supreme Court, beneath a portrait of the legendary Chief Justice John Marshall.

She took the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts, flanked by her brother and her mother, who held the Bible.

Sotomayor swore to "administer justice without respect to persons" and "do equal right to the poor and to the rich."

Relatives and friends applauded at the end of her oath. A private oath was administered before the public ceremony.

Roberts, wearing his black judicial robe, said that once the oaths were done, Sotomayor could "begin work as associate justice without delay."

Sotomayor has been a federal judge for 17 years. Obama nominated her in May to take the place of Justice David Souter after Souter announced his retirement. The Senate confirmed Sotomayor's nomination Thursday by a 68- 31 vote.