WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Marion Superior Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt as a federal judge for the Southern District of Indiana.

The Senate voted 95-0 Tuesday to approve Pratt for the lifetime appointment. She was nominated by President Barack Obama in January and will become the first African-American federal judge in the state’s history.

Sen. Evan Bayh says Pratt’s confirmation is a step toward realizing equal justice under the law and that he hopes her success will inspire children of all backgrounds.

Pratt has been a Marion County judge since 1997.

She is the second new judge for the district that covers the southern two-thirds of Indiana. Former federal Magistrate Jane Magnus-Stinson was sworn into office Monday after winning Senate confirmation on June 7.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.