'Judge's task is to apply the law,' Sotomayor tells panel

WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that her judicial philosophy boils down to this: "Fidelity to the law."

In a seven-minute statement read Monday on the opening day of her confirmation hearing, Sotomayor addressed the judicial-philosophy issue publicly for the panel and a television audience.

She also said that President Obama's nomination of her for the nation's top court left her feeling "very humbled."

"The task of a judge is not to make the law — it is to apply the law," she said. "And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand."

In her remarks, Sotomayor said, "The progression of my life has been uniquely American," that of a child of Puerto Rican parents who moved to New York during World War II. "I want to make one special note of thanks to my mom," she said. "I am here today because of her aspirations and sacrifices for my brother Juan and me."

"Mom, I love that we are sharing this together," said Sotomayor, 55, whose father died when she was 9. She turned as she spoke, whispering a thank-you to her mother, seated one row behind her in the packed hearing room.

Sotomayor returns before the committee Tuesday to undergo questioning from Judiciary committee members.

Members of the panel divided on partisan lines over the significance of what Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., described as Sotomayor's "historic nomination" to the Supreme Court as the panel opened her confirmation hearings Monday.

Senators from both parties acknowledged the ground being broken by Obama's Supreme Court nominee. Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic member of the Supreme Court if she is confirmed.