[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19619]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I would be remiss if I did not take a 
moment to say what a great loss our country has experienced with the 
passing of our Chief Justice William Rehnquist. William Rehnquist was a 
man of deep integrity and honor, a true public servant. He served our 
country well, always keeping an eye toward tradition and working to 
bring constitutional reason to the complex questions of our nation. Our 
country is better for the guiding hand he placed on the Court. His 
resolute spirit will be missed.
  Chief Justice Rehnquist's leadership brought the Court through three 
decades of very tumultuous times. September 17 of this year would mark 
the 29th year of his tenure as Chief Justice. This term exceeds that of 
every other Chief Justice in our nation's history, with the exception 
of Chief Justice John Marshall, who served for 34 years.
  He led the judiciary with resolve and a steady hand. He will be 
greatly missed by his family, his colleagues, the Court, and by a 
grateful nation.
  As we turn our attention in the coming weeks to the confirmation 
process to consider the President's nominee to serve as the next Chief 
Justice, it would be appropriate to pause and reflect on the service to 
our country provided by this man of exceptional intellect who served 
his Nation long and faithfully.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota.
  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I join with my colleague, the 
distinguished Senator from Florida, in expressing my personal 
condolences and those of my fellow Minnesotans to the family and 
friends of the former Chief Justice, and I share the sentiments in 
regard to his distinguished service to our nation.

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