The United States (U.S.) Senate made history on Tuesday morning with the confirmation of the first Hispanic judge for Eastern Washington.

With a 92-4 vote, Salvador Mendoza Jr. became the first Hispanic federal judge for his court. He previously served as a judge for the Benton-Franklin Superior Court since May 2013 following 15 years as a lawyer. Mendoza Jr. was also an assistant attorney general and deputy prosecutor in Franklin County.

Pres. Barack Obama nominated Mendoza Jr. on Jan. 16. According to The Yakima Herald in Washington, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., recommended his name to the White House. Mendoza Jr. previously served as an intern for Murray's office.

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Senators Murray and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., spoke to prior to the Senate's confirmation.

"Through his work ethic, his commitment to his community, and his belief in equal opportunity, Judge Mendoza is a leader and a role model for families throughout our state particularly young men and women born into poverty and difficult circumstances," said Murray.

"There is no question that Salvador Mendoza is ready for the challenge of being a federal judge ... Salvador Mendoza will become the first-ever Hispanic federal judge in Eastern Washington," said Cantwell. "That is a major step forward and one that is long overdue. One in every nine residents of Washington State is Hispanic and yet we have not had a Hispanic federal judge in the Eastern part of our state."

Mendoza Jr.'s approval also came with the confirmation of the Judge Darrin Gayles for the District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Gayles' confirmation makes him the first openly gay African American man to be confirmed to the role. The U.S. Senate also confirmed Judge Staci Yandle on Tuesday. Yandle's confirmation makes her the first African American and openly gay lifetime-appointed federal judge in Illinois.

With the three judges confirmed, Pres. Obama has appointed more Hispanic and female judges than any prior presidency, breaking the record set by Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton respectively.

"As we've said before, these 'firsts' -- and these milestones -- are important, not because these judges will consider cases differently, but because a judiciary that better resembles our nation instills even greater confidence in our justice system, and because these judges will serve as role models for generations of lawyers to come," said Counsel to the President Neil Eggleston.

As federal judge of Eastern Washington, Mendoza Jr. will cover the counties of Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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