President Barack Obama on Wednesday
nominated seven federal judges, including Judge William Thomas, the
president's first openly gay, African-America judicial nominee.
Obama nominated Thomas to serve on the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
If confirmed, Thomas would be the first
openly gay black man to serve as a lifetime-tenured federal judge,
BuzzFeed.com
reported.
“These individuals have demonstrated
the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and
deserve from their judicial system,” Obama said of the nominees.
“They also represent my continued commitment to ensure that the
judiciary resembles the nation it serves. I am grateful for their
willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with
the utmost impartiality and integrity. Too many of our courtrooms
stand empty. I hope the Senate will promptly consider all of my
nominees and ensure justice for everyday Americans.”
According to a White House bio, Thomas
has served as a Circuit Judge in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit
since 2005. He received his J.D. in 1994 from the Temple University
School of Law and his B.A. in 1991 from Washington and Jefferson
College in Washington, Pennsylvania.