Wood has sat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York since 1988. President Ronald Reagan had nominated her for the post on the recommendation of then-Sen. Al D'Amato, R-New York, in 1987. In her confirmation hearings, the colorful D'Amato praised her "extraordinary background as a legal scholar" as well as her beauty. 

Judge Kimba Wood in a 1994 file photo

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"Mr. Chairman, do not let the nominee's appearance deceive you," D'Amato said. "It is obvious that she is beautiful. It might raise questions in terms of her youth. How is this that someone so youthful in appearance should be placed before this committee as a nominee?"