THE
PRESIDENT: Our nation is saddened today by the news that Chief Justice
William Rehnquist passed away last night. Laura and I send our respect
and deepest sympathy to this good man's children, Jim, Janet, and Nancy.
We send our respect to all the members of the Rehnquist family.
William H. Rehnquist was born and raised in Wisconsin. He was
the grandson of Swedish immigrants. Like so many of his generation, he
served in the Army during World War II. He went on to college with the
help of the G.I. Bill. He studied law at Stanford University. He
graduated first in his class, that included his future colleague, Sandra
Day O'Connor. Judge Rehnquist, and his late wife, Nan, raised their
family in Phoenix, where he built a career as one of Arizona's leading
attorneys. He went on to even greater distinction in pubic service as an
assistant U.S. attorney general, associate justice of the Supreme Court,
and for the past 19 years, Chief Justice of the United States.
He was extremely well respected for his powerful intellect. He was
respected for his deep commitment to the rule of law and his profound
devotion to duty. He provided superb leadership for the federal court
system, improving the delivery of justice for the American people, and
earning the admiration of his colleagues throughout the judiciary.
Even during a period of illness, Chief Justice Rehnquist stayed on
the job to complete the work of his final Supreme Court term. I was
honored and I was deeply touched when he came to the Capitol for the
swearing-in last January. He was a man of character and dedication. His
departure represents a great loss for the Court and for our country.
There are now two vacancies on the Supreme Court, and it will serve
the best interests of the nation to fill those vacancies promptly. I
will choose in a timely manner a highly qualified nominee to succeed
Chief Justice Rehnquist. As we look to the future of the Supreme Court,
citizens of this nation can also look with pride and appreciation on the
career of our late Chief Justice.
More than half a century has passed since William H. Rehnquist first
came to the Supreme Court as a young law clerk. All of his years William
Rehnquist revered the Constitution and laws of the United States. He led
the judicial branch of government with tremendous wisdom and skill. He
honored America with a lifetime of service, and America will honor his
memory.
May God bless the Rehnquist family. Thank you all very much.