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Sen. Jack Reed introduced Thompson to the committee Tuesday. Reed, with Whitehouse, recommended Thompson to replace Senior Circuit Judge Bruce M. Selya on what is traditionally known as the "Rhode Island seat" on the appeals court.

Reed praised her temperament, integrity and impartiality. She was chosen, he said, from among 30 applicants to the federal, in part, after an examination of what motivated the candidates' choices in life. "We came to the conclusion Judge Thompson was uniquely qualified to serve on the 1st Circuit," Reed said.

Whitehouse noted Thompson was the first African-American woman appointed to Rhode Island's District and Superior courts. "It is fitting that she is the one to make another piece of long-overdue history," he said. "She is a worthy nominee for this historic occasion."

Whitehouse questioned Thompson about her experience with Constitutional and federal law. She responded that often as a state court judge she had to study federal court precedent and "make a judgment how it should be applied." Federal and state law frequently overlap, she said.

But the toughest questions came from Minnesota Democrat Sen. Al Franken, the only other member of the 19-person committee to attend.

On behalf of his absent Republican colleagues, Franken asked Thompson about concerns raised about comments she had made about diversity.

"I think diversity on the court is a great idea," but would she judge based on the law? he asked.

"My job," Thompson said, "is to make sure I don't have preconceived notions about a person, to not show bias, to ensure justice for all and to apply the law to the facts."

President Obama's nomination of Thompson in September to the 1st Circuit received mixed reviews from the American Bar Association's standing committee on the federal judiciary, which rates all federal judicial nominees. While a majority of the 15-member committee found her qualified, a minority determined she was not qualified after extensive interviews and a review of her work.

Whitehouse said Tuesday that ABA's rating proved the committee's "distinct leaning" toward corporate lawyers and corporate firms, and lack of appreciation for judges who are actually in the trenches day-to-day.

Extra: Senate takes a closer look at R.I. judge

Read U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's prepared remarks for his opening statement at today's confirmation hearing:

"Today we will consider the nomination of O. Rogeriee Thompson to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. I am grateful to Chairman Leahy for the opportunity to chair this hearing, and I do so with great pleasure since the nominee is a distinguished Rhode Island judge who I have known well for many years. I welcome Justice Thompson, and her family and friends, to the Judiciary Committee and to the United States Senate. I also welcome to the Committee the senior Senator from Rhode Island, Jack Reed, who will introduce Justice Thompson. It has been a great honor to serve with him in the Senate and it was a pleasure to assist him in identifying the best possible nominee to serve on the First Circuit, which serves our home state of Rhode Island. I was proud to join him in recommending Justice Thompson to President Obama and thank the President for recognizing her expertise and good judgment.

"Justice Thompson comes before the Committee with an exceptional record of achievement that speaks both to her remarkable talents and her lifetime of hard work. Born in segregated South Carolina, Justice Thompson pursued the opportunity to finish high school in Scarsdale, New York, even though it meant moving away from her family at an early age. After excelling there, Justice Thompson went on to graduate from Brown University and to receive a law degree from Boston University. With those academic credentials, one might have expected Justice Thompson to pursue a lucrative career in the corporate realm, but she instead chose to employ her talents in underserved communities in Providence. I am very glad that she did.

"A successful career in legal practice led to Justice Thompson's appointment as an Associate Judge on the Rhode Island District Court and subsequently as an Associate Justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court. Justice Thompson now has twenty-one years of judicial experience and a record of respect from all corners of Rhode Island's bench and bar. Her courtroom deservedly has come to be known as a place in which every party can expect a fair hearing.

"Justice Thompson's extensive experience on the Rhode Island bench prepares her well for the work of the First Circuit. Not only has it allowed her to consider the customary range of federal issues that state courts regularly face, but it has allowed Justice Thompson to demonstrate the proper role of a judge: to respect the role of the legislature; decide cases based on the law and the facts; not prejudge any case, but listen to every party that comes before them; respect precedent; and limit themselves to the issues that the Court must decide.

"But Justice Thompson not only is an exceptionally qualified nominee. She also is a historic nominee, as she would be the first African American, and only the second woman, to serve on the First Circuit. Indeed, Justice Thompson has a habit of breaking barriers, as she was the first African American woman appointed to Rhode Island's District Court and to Rhode Island's Superior Court. It is fitting that she is the one to make another piece of long-overdue history. She is a worthy nominee for such a historic occasion.

"I look forward to working with Chairman Leahy and my colleagues as this nomination proceeds through the Committee and ultimately to confirmation. "