[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[June 28, 1991]
[Page 733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter on the Resignation of United States Supreme Court Associate 
Justice Thurgood Marshall
June 28, 1991

                                                           June 28, 1991

Dear Mr. Justice:
    It is with deep regret that I acknowledge your letter of retirement 
from the Supreme Court effective at such time as a successor is 
qualified.
    Our Nation is deeply indebted to you for your long and distinguished 
public service. Your courageous leadership in the fight for equal 
opportunity, exemplified by your brief and oral argument in the landmark 
case of Brown v. Board of Education, is a powerful example of how one 
person's commitment to his convictions can shape a nation's attitude on 
such a fundamental issue.
    Your distinguished service to our country, first on the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as our Nation's 33rd Solicitor 
General, and capped by a great career on the Supreme Court will also be 
long remembered.
    Barbara and I wish you happiness and every blessing in your years of 
retirement.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    

                                                           June 27, 1991

My Dear Mr. President:
    The strenuous demands of court work and its related duties required 
or expected of a Justice appear at this time to be incompatible with my 
advancing age and medical condition.
    I, therefore, retire as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of 
the United States when my successor is qualified.
    Respectfully,

                                                       Thurgood Marshall

                    Note: Originals were not available for verification 
                        of the content of these letters.