[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO JOHN MARSHALL ON THE OCCASION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                               HIS BIRTH

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                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, September 24th, marks the 
250th anniversary of Chief Justice John Marshall's birth. The principal 
founder of American constitutional law and one of Virginia's finest 
sons, Marshall's 34 years of leadership brought the United States 
Supreme Court great prominence.
  His education, experiences, and service to the Commonwealth of 
Virginia enabled him to serve this country as Supreme Court Justice. 
Chief Justice Marshall presided over numerous landmark cases and 
authored many of the Supreme Court's most influential opinions.
  Under his guidance, the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835 expanded the 
definition of commerce, solidified the Supreme Court's dominance over 
the State court system, and defended the Federal Government's implied 
power.
  These contributions and many others came after the first, and 
arguably most important, opinion he penned--judicial review. Shortly 
after his ascension to the bench, Chief Justice John Marshall affirmed 
the ability of the Supreme Court as the only body to decide the 
constitutionality of Federal or State law under the United States 
Constitution.
  It is fitting that Marshall's birthday occurs at the same time as the 
United States Senate considers John Roberts' nomination to be Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court. Like Marshall, Roberts would become chief 
justice at a relatively young age.
  It is reported that Roberts would touch the statue of former Chief 
Justice Marshall that sits at the Supreme Court for luck before each 
case he argued. It is clear that John Marshall established an enduring 
legacy.

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