New York, NY – The Fund for Modern Courts has asked Governor Pataki in a letter from Victor A. Kovner, Chair of the Board of Modern Courts, and Milton L. Williams, Jr., Chair of the Executive Committee, dated July 27, 2006, to be mindful of diversity in selecting his next appointment to the Court of Appeals.

Victor A. Kovner said, “Modern Courts has long held the view that a judiciary which reflects the broad diversity of the state enhances public confidence in the administration of justice.”

On July 20, 2006, the Commission on Judicial Nomination presented Governor George E. Pataki with a list of seven nominees, including incumbent Judge George Bundy Smith and six appellate court judges, for appointment to the Court of Appeals. Within 30 days from that date, the governor must select a nominee from that list to fill the vacancy, which will exist when Judge Smith's term ends on September 24, 2006.

Milton L. Williams, Jr., Chair of the Executive Committee of Modern Courts, said that, “Where the judiciary does not reflect the diversity of the community it serves, public confidence in the judiciary is undermined.”

The letter, which is attached, calls upon the governor “to ensure that our highest court maintains its diversity, as well as its excellence and independence.”

Founded in 1955, Modern Courts is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, statewide organization dedicated to improving the courts in New York State through advocacy, public education and in-court programming.

Read the Letter