Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, issued the following statement applauding the confirmation of Judge Gustavo Gelpí by a 52-41 vote. Judge Gelpí is only the second Latino and Puerto Rican to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit:
“I could not be more thrilled that the Senate has voted to confirm Judge Gustavo Gelpí to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month. Judge Gelpí is only the second Latino and Puerto Rican to serve on the First Circuit, and his confirmation should be a moment of great pride for Latinos across the country, especially Puerto Ricans on the island and the diaspora community. Throughout his service on the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Judge Gelpí has demonstrated he is an eminently qualified jurist with sound judgement and an even temperament that will make him an excellent addition on the First Circuit, and I have no doubt he will make us all proud in this new position.”
Judge Gustavo Gelpí, 56, was just confirmed earlier this evening to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Previously, he served as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Puerto Rico for the past 15 years, and as the court’s Chief Judge since 2018. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Judge Gelpí received a B.A. from Brandeis University in 1987 and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1991. On July 22, 2021, Gelpí was voted out of Committee by a vote of 12-10. During his time on the bench, Judge Gelpí has presided over 3,400 cases – including 62 jury trials –and he has issued more than 880 written opinions. With his confirmation to the Court of Appeals, he is only the second judge of Hispanic origin and the second judge from Puerto Rico ever to sit on the First Circuit.
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