[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 125 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST

  Mr. ALLEN. On September 3, 2005, America lost one of its greatest 
public servants when, following a year-long battle with cancer, William 
Hubbs Rehnquist passed away at the age of 80. At the time of his death, 
he had been a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 33 distinguished 
years, having served as Chief Justice since 1986 and previously as an 
associate justice, appointed in 1972.
  Much of William Rehnquist's professional career was dedicated to 
public service. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army Air 
Corps during World War II from 1943-1946. After his military service, 
he earned an undergraduate, a masters' and a law degree from Stanford 
University. Even further demonstrating his intellectual acumen, 
Rehnquist also graduated with a master's degree from Harvard University 
and was first in his class at Stanford University Law School. After law 
school, he became a Supreme Court clerk for Associate Justice Robert 
Jackson before leaving for private practice in Arizona. In 1969, 
Justice Rehnquist joined the Nixon administration as an Assistant 
Attorney General where he served until 1971. That year, President Nixon 
nominated William H. Rehnquist to be on the Supreme Court; the 
following year, he was confirmed to be an associate justice by the U.S. 
Senate.
  It was on the Supreme Court that William Rehnquist built his 
reputation as one of the great legal minds of our time. His tenure on 
the high court of the land, both as an associate justice and as the 
Chief Justice, was an extraordinary achievement. I was particularly 
impressed with his leadership as the head of the entire Federal 
judiciary, as well as his affable personal demeanor on the bench and 
off, both of which were important traits in his role as Chief.
  I respect immensely the way in which Chief Justice Rehnquist served 
on the Court with honor and restraint. As a justice, he fairly and 
properly interpreted the words of the Constitution without usurping the 
rights of the American people and those of the States to make laws as 
they deem appropriate rather than allowing un-
elected judges who are appointed for life to substitute their personal 
political views for the popular will of the people.
  Chief Justice Rehnquist clearly understood that judges ought to apply 
the law and Constitution, not invent the law or amend the Constitution 
by judicial decree. And I believe that he perfectly embodied what I 
consider to be the proper role of a justice and that America should be 
grateful for his long and distinguished public service on the bench.
  Our Nation was so fortunate to have a man of William Rehnquist's 
intelligence and legal experience in public service for so many years. 
As a Supreme Court Justice, he was a decent, dedicated, steady, and 
principled jurist whose legal brilliance and knowledge will be 
difficult to replace. Chief Justice Rehnquist deserves America's 
gratitude for his over three decades of dedicated service on the 
Supreme Court and a life devoted to the service of this great Nation 
and its citizens.
  My condolences go out to his family, in particular his three 
children, James, Janet, and Nancy, during this difficult time.
  May he rest in peace.
  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I as deeply saddened to learn of the 
passing of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He will most certainly be 
remembered as one of this Nation's greatest Chief Justices.
  During his 33 years of distinguished service on the High Court, Chief 
Justice Rehnquist served with tremendous wisdom, skill, and intellect. 
His legacy will be defined by his calm and steady leadership, his 
staunch defense of the constitution, and his support of an independent 
judiciary.
  Born into a modest home in the Midwest, Rehnquist enlisted in the 
Army at age 19 during World War II. He went on to have a very 
impressive academic career, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in 
political science from Stanford University. In 1950, Rehnquist received 
a master's degree in government from Harvard University. He later 
returned to Stanford Law School, where he graduated first in his class 
and served as the editor of the law review.
  After law school, Rehnquist served as a law clerk to Associate 
Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson. He then settled in Phoenix, AZ, 
with his wife Nancy, where he spent 20 years in successful private 
practice. In 1968, Rehnquist returned to Washington, DC, to serve as 
President Nixon's Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal 
Counsel. In 1972, William Rehnquist became the 100th Justice of the 
U.S. Supreme Court.
  I expect we will hear much discussion in the coming years about the 
legacy of Chief Justice Rehnquist. But I am confident that a 
significant part of his legacy, his strong leadership of the Court, 
will be unquestionable. President Bush said at Rehnquist's memorial 
service, ``He built consensus through openness and collegiality.'' 
Likewise, praise from so many of his colleagues and friends serve as a 
true testament to William Rehnquist's ability to treat people 
graciously and fairly, both from the bench and in his personal life.
  The praise for his professional life is certainly plentiful, but we 
know that most important to William Rehnquist was his family. He was 
greatly loved as a husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. His 
daughters Nancy and Janet joked that dating your father was completely 
underrated, after they had the pleasure of accompanying their father 
around Washington and on foreign trips after the death of their mother. 
He was a family man, first and foremost.
  Chief Justice Rehnquist deserves our praise and our tremendous 
gratitude for his dedicated service to this country. Our Nation mourns 
the passing of this great man. The significant contributions he made, 
personally and professionally, will certainly be remembered always.

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