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Written by WiG
Jan 23, 2012
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Gay rights advocates are praising New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s nomination of Bruce A. Harris to the state supreme court.
Christie nominated Harris, an openly gay African-American man with more than 20 years legal experience, along with Phillip H. Kwon, an Asian-American man serving as assistant attorney general in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
The governor’s office said the two men bring accomplished legal careers to the high court, as well as a historic level of diversity.
“I am extraordinarily proud to announce these two historic nominations to the New Jersey State Supreme Court. Bruce and Phil are each accomplished and talented individuals with skilled legal minds who are highly respected in the legal community. Just as importantly, each of them has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to serving their state and communities,” Christie, a Republican, said.
“Additionally, not only do their different backgrounds and career paths bring distinctive and important perspectives to the supreme court, Bruce and Phil also capture our state's diversity in a way never before seen in the history of the court.”
Harris will become the third African-American to serve on the court and its first openly gay member. Kwon will become the first Asian-American to serve on the court and the first immigrant to serve since the 1947 state constitution created the court.
R. Clarke Cooper of the Log Cabin Republicans responded to the announcement: “This appointment is consistent with Gov. Christie’s strong support for nondiscrimination, including signing the strongest anti-bullying legislation in the nation. As the New Jersey legislature considers passing marriage equality this session, Log Cabin Republicans remain hopeful Gov. Christie will continue his inclusive leadership by agreeing with Republican champions across the country that freedom means freedom for everybody.”
“Most importantly, Bruce is eminently qualified to be a Supreme Court justice,” said Steven Goldstein of the statewide LGBT group Garden State Equality. “The governor has made civil rights history, and on behalf of all of us at Garden State Equality, I extend to him our most profound appreciation.”
