Wilma Lewis sworn in as federal judge
Published: August 1, 2011
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Wilma Lewis testifies before Congress earlier this year. On Thursday, she took the oath of office as a District Court judge.
ST. CROIX - Wilma Lewis was sworn in as a judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands during a brief ceremony last week at the federal court house on St. Croix.
The court plans to hold a formal investiture ceremony for Lewis at a later date, which will be announced.
Lewis, nominated by President Barack Obama for the federal judgeship in March and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 30, took the oath of office Thursday.
She will be sitting in the St. Croix Division, succeeding District Judge Raymond Finch, who is retiring.
A prepared statement released by Wilfredo Morales, the clerk of the District Court of the Virgin Islands, welcomed her to "the court family."
"I am very honored by my appointment to the federal bench, and consider it a special privilege to have the opportunity to return to the Virgin Islands to serve in the St. Croix Division of the District Court," Lewis said in the prepared statement.
Lewis grew up on St. Thomas.
She told The Daily News during a 2009 interview when she became U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management that she still considers the Virgin Islands her home.
During her confirmation hearing for the judgeship in May, Lewis spoke of her commitment to public service and said she would be an even-handed jurist.
"I will be fair and firm," she told the U.S. Senate committee. "I want to hear opposing perspectives, and I will set the tone for a courtroom where all litigants will have their day in court."
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