WASHINGTON, DC  - Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Marcia L. Fudge wrote the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Darrin P. Gayles as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the confirmation of Staci Yandle to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Judge Gayles is the first African American to be confirmed to a Florida federal district court in nearly 20 years and is the first openly gay African American man to be confirmed to the federal bench. Judge Yandle is the first African American and the first openly gay federal judge to serve on the Southern District of Illinois bench.

“I congratulate Judge Darrin P. Gayles and Judge Staci Yandle on their historic confirmations to serve on the federal bench. Both Judge Gayles and Judge Yandle have distinguished careers and histories of public service that reflect their commitment to the legal profession and their communities.

“Since 2004, Judge Gayles has served on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, first as a County State Judge and then as a Florida State Judge, presiding over 600 cases that have gone to verdict or judgment. Judge Gayles has also been a volunteer with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami. Since 1987, Judge Yandle has served the legal profession and this country through private practice and as an advisory board member to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.  I applaud Judge Gayles and Judge Yandle for this significant accomplishment in their already laudable careers.

“I also commend the Senate for confirming Judge Gayles and Judge Yandle. As diversity within the legal profession has significantly waned, these judicial appointments move our criminal justice system closer to reflecting the true diversity of America.”

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