[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2806]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           APPRECIATION OF SERVICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to extend a word of thanks to Chief 
Justice Rehnquist for his distinguished service in presiding over this 
trial.
  The Supreme Court sits just a few short yards from this Chamber. Yet, 
its Justices and its working remain largely unknown to those of us who 
serve here. Perhaps that conceptual distance successfully reflects the 
Framers' construct of legislative and judicial branches that act for 
the most part independently of one another.
  Suffice it to say that our knowledge of the Chief Justice was rather 
limited prior to the commencement of the impeachment trial. We knew of 
his reputation as a formidable intellect, as a scholar--including on 
the topic of impeachment--, and as an efficient manager of courtroom. 
We did not as a group know much more about him.
  What we learned during that course of that trial is that the Chief 
Justice brought his many estimable qualities to bear on this unique 
legal challenge. He brought a deep historical understanding of the 
impeachment process. He instilled confidence in each Senator that he 
would conduct himself in a manner faithful to the role prescribed for 
the chief justice by the Framers. At all times, he guided the trial 
with a firm and fair hand-not hesitating to use his judgment and common 
sense when appropriate, but never pressing a point of view on matters 
better left to the collective judgment of the Senate. He demonstrated a 
continuing respect and appreciation for the workings of this body. Last 
but not least, he brought a refreshing sense of humor to his task, 
which made our task as triers of fact somewhat more bearable.
  Although this was an historic occasion, no one who took part in it 
relished doing so. There is collective relief, I think, that this 
constitutional ordeal is now behind us. But as we look back at these 
past remarkable weeks, we can all take comfort and pride in knowing 
that this second impeachment trial in our nation's history was presided 
over by an individual of great intelligence, historical knowledge, and 
wit.
  These qualities made him uniquely suited to his task. The Senate and 
the entire nation owe a debt of thanks to Chief Justice Rehnquist for 
rendering such value and distinguished service.

                          ____________________