Rosy Glow – Supreme Visit

By

Andrew DeMarco

While planning our October trip which would include a visit to Uncle Cappy, my wife suggested I contact an old classmate. So after numerous emails went unanswered, she then suggested I make a phone call. My thoughts were, I never received a reply to my original emails why would this classmate take my call, but then again nothing ventured nothing gained, so I called The Supreme Court. I explained to the operator that I was an old acquaintance of Justice Sonia Sotomayor and I would be in the Washington area in a few weeks. I was transferred to her chambers and spoke with an intern named Kevin Frazier. He asked me, get this, to email him with all the particulars on how I knew the Justice, and he would make sure she gets it.

Since this is what I had been doing all along I thought, why would she read it now, but again my wife insisted so I did it. I wrote about going to grammar school together and how we kept in touch through high school since she went to Cardinal Spellman with Cousin Marian. I also included a copy of our class picture from Blessed Sacrament. Three hours later we had an appointment to meet with her two weeks later while we were in Washington.

On the day of our appointment we arrived at The Supreme Court and after clearing security and brought to the Marshall’s Office we were greeted by Kevin, who I had spoken with, a nice young man from Oregon who was interning for one year before going back to finish school. He escorted us to Justice Sotomayor’s chambers and gave us a tour. We were introduced to just about everyone on her staff from secretaries, interns and clerks who were all interested in how I knew her and what she was like when she was young. So I gave them all a brief rundown on the Justice and I asked what she was like to work for. Not surprisingly they all spoke glowingly of the Justice.

We were then brought into Justice Sotomayor’s office where she came bounding out from behind her desk and greeted us both with a hug. I then said, “Justice Sotomayor I would like to introduce you to my wife Teresa.” With that I got a look that said are you kidding, not about my wife but calling her Justice Sotomayor and she replied, “Please to meet you and to you I am and always will be Sonia.”  She did go on to say that if we were to ever run into her in her judicial robes she would appreciate it if we called her Justice Sotomayor, to which I replied, “No problem Sonia.”

So we sat and she instantly started to cross examine my wife on how we met, how long we have been together and what she does and what I was like, since it had been some time since we saw one another. This sort of tipped me off that she knew who I was but was not quite sure and was trying to get more info.

She finally turned to me and I said, “So Sonia what have you been up to,” which got a booming laugh. We started to talk about Blessed Sacrament and I could still sense that she was still trying to place me. I then mentioned that Mrs. Capozzola (Aunt Anna) was my aunt and her second grade teacher, and then the spark of recognition struck her. She then said “I remember you! You were the ———-.” (Modesty prevents me from finishing what she said and my wife can fill in the blanks.) This is when the conversation seemed to really take off and the names of old classmates came out and reminiscences started to roll.

Sonia then told me a story about Aunt Anna. It seems that Aunt Anna was her teacher when she was diagnosed with diabetes and she was missing quite a bit of school. She related how Aunt Anna would stay with her after school and help her catch up on things, in particular her confusion with the homonyms there, their, wear, where and others. Sonia remembered how genuinely helpful and concerned she was. When I told this to Uncle Cappy it brought a tear to his eye as well as a huge smile.

In her book, Sonia mentions that it was at Blessed Sacrament where she developed a lust for learning and gold stars. I then mentioned that I too got my share of gold stars and then presented her with a package of them which she placed in a prominent spot on her desk, and said, “To remind me to keep striving for gold stars and maybe during a tough case I will bring them to the bench.”  We talked about her book which she offered to autograph, but I did not have with me. I then explained that anyone could get an autograph copy of her book, which they were selling in the gift shop, but I had something else for her to sign.

Now this is something no 60 year old would have unless he or she has an Italian mother and that is a grammar school report card with all the gold stars. When I asked Sonia for a Supreme Certification of my gold stars, she more than obliged. She got a good laugh and admitted that I got as many as she did and also found it amazing that my mother saved them. The sentiment she wrote is again something that modesty will not allow me to repeat.

Our conversation then moved more to the present and I asked her what it was like being nominated and going through the whole process. Sonia told us that it was all a blur, from her nomination, the Senate hearings up to her swearing in. It did not really hit her until her first day on the bench. There is a tradition started in 1972 at the Supreme Court that new justices on their first day sit in the chair that was used by Justice John Marshall. Although he was not the first Chief Justice, he was probably the most influential in giving the Court its direction in its early years.  It was when Sonia sat in his chair on her first day, that she said it really hit her.

Then just as soon as it began, our time with Sonia was over as her secretary came in to remind her of her appointments. We took a picture together which we were asked not to post on any sites but could send to family and friends and said our goodbyes.

Sonia then arranged for a behind the scenes tour of The Court, where we went to areas that are off limits to regular tours. This tour was given by yet another intern Jordan Rudner from Texas and her knowledge of the court was amazing for such a young person. Afterwards others in the regular tour asked us who we knew to be able to get such a tour.

Before we left we had an opportunity to speak with people who work at the Court from tour guides, guards, gift shop people and others who all spoke so highly of Sonia. They all related how she does so much with school groups and is the most accessible of all the Justices.

As we left, my wife and I took a step back to think about our visit and the one thing that came through is that this woman who I have known since we were 6 years old, is a true role model. Her success and accomplishments while dealing with diabetes her whole life tell an even better story. And although I had not seen her in years her warmth and real sincerity about seeing one another again certainly came through. I know those of you who know me may be questioning my modesty, but this visit brought out that modesty and gave both my wife and I that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that ….. Rosy Glow.