    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 2007]
    [Pages 67-68]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

    United States Supreme Court Building

    One First Street NE., Washington, DC 20543
    Phone, 202-479-3000. Internet, www.supremecourtus.gov.
    Members:

    Chief Justice of the United States                John G. Roberts, Jr.
    Associate Justices                                John Paul Stevens,
                                                              Antonin
                                                              Scalia,
                                                              Anthony M.
                                                              Kennedy, David
                                                              H. Souter,
                                                              Clarence
                                                              Thomas, Ruth
                                                              Bader
                                                              Ginsburg,
                                                              Stephen G.
                                                              Breyer, Samuel
                                                              A. Alito, Jr.

    Officers:

        Administrative Assistant to the               Jeffrey P. Minear
                Chief Justice
        Clerk                                         William K. Suter
        Court Counsel                                 Scott S. Harris
        Curator                                       Catherine E. Fitts
        Director of Data Systems                      Donna Clement
        Librarian                                     Judith Gaskell
        Marshal                                       Pamela Talkin
        Public Information Officer                    Kathleen L. Arberg
        Reporter of Decisions                         Frank D. Wagner

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    Article III, section 1, of the Constitution of the United States
    provides that ``[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be
    vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress
    may from time to time ordain and establish.''
    The Supreme Court of the United States was created in accordance with
    this provision and by authority of the Judiciary Act of September 24,
    1789 (1 Stat. 73). It was organized on February 2, 1790. Article III,
    section 2 of the Constitution defines the jurisdiction of the Supreme
    Court.
        The Supreme Court is comprised of the Chief Justice of the United
    States and such number of Associate Justices as may be fixed by
    Congress, which is currently fixed at eight (28 U.S.C. 1). The President
    nominates the Justices with the advice and consent of the Senate.
    Article III, section 1, of the Constitution further provides that
    ``[t]he Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
    their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive
    for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during
    their Continuance in Office.''
        Court officers assist the Court in the performance of its functions.
    They include the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, the
    Clerk, the Reporter

    [[Page 68]]

    of Decisions, the Librarian, the Marshal, the Director of Budget and
    Personnel, the Court Counsel, the Curator, the Director of Data Systems,
    and the Public Information Officer.
    Appellate Jurisdiction  Appellate jurisdiction has been conferred upon
    the Supreme Court by various statutes under the authority given Congress
    by the Constitution. The basic statute effective at this time in
    conferring and controlling jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be
    found in 28 U.S.C. 1251, 1253, 1254, 1257-1259, and various special
    statutes. Congress has no authority to change the original jurisdiction
    of this Court.
    Rulemaking Power  Congress has from time to time conferred upon the
    Supreme Court power to prescribe rules of procedure to be followed by
    the lower courts of the United States.
    Court Term  The term of the Court begins on the first Monday in October
    and lasts until the first Monday in October of the next year.
    Approximately 8,000 cases are filed with the Court in the course of a
    term, and some 1,000 applications of various kinds are filed each year
    that can be acted upon by a single Justice.
    Access to Facilities  The Supreme Court is open to the public from 9
    a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.
    Unless the Court or Chief Justice orders otherwise, the Clerk's office
    is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal
    legal holidays. The library is open to members of the bar of the Court,
    attorneys for the various Federal departments and agencies, and Members
    of Congress.

    For further information concerning the Supreme Court, contact the Public
    Information Office, United States Supreme Court Building, One First
    Street NE., Washington, DC 20543. Phone, 202-479-3211. Internet,
    www.supremecourtus.gov.