Black Caucus Chairwoman Urges Diversity in Court Pick

Just hours after Justice John Paul Stevens handed in his retirement notice, President Barack Obama came under pressure to appoint a second black justice to the Supreme Court.

A leading African-American lawmaker is urging Obama to consider women and minority candidates as he selects a replacement for Stevens.

“It is essential President Obama consider gender and ethnic diversity on the high court in an increasingly diverse America,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a statement Friday, {snip}.

When Justice David Souter left the court a year ago, CBC members suggested Obama consider one of their own colleagues, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who sits on the House Judiciary Committee.

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