Reflecting on
her upbringing, where “her present heights seemed improbable,” Judge Hines’ nomination to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals will likely be confirmed. During the one-hour confirmation hearing, Judge
Hines spoke of her childhood in the segregated South, and her journey to “this
historic chamber where I’m assured that race is neither a burden nor a benefit.”
Speaking in Hines’ favor were Chief Justice of the
Superior Court Barbara Rouse, retired Superior Court Judge Paul Chernoff,
Walter Prince, and Jane Mahon, assistant clerk at Suffolk Superior Court. Rep.
Byron Rushing (D-Boston) also appeared briefly to offer his praise.