ARLINGTON, VA - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist passed away this evening, Saturday, September 3, 2005. In the heart of the United States of America's greatest challenge in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a man of consistency and juris prudence has joined his Maker.
Originally nominated to the Supreme Court by President Richard M. Nixon, Rehnquist was sworn in as an Associate Justice on January 7, 1972. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve as Chief Justice in 1986. He was sworn in on September 26, 1986.
Rehnquist, known for his conservative philosophies, presided over a divided Supreme Court for most of his tenure as Chief Justice. He was well respected by his law clerks who recognized him for his kindness and support of all people who worked for him. Rehnquist presided over the US Senate trial of William Jefferson Clinton who was impeached by the US House of Representatives in 1998. Clinton was acquitted on Lincoln's Birthday, February 12, 1999. He was one of the five justices who voted in favor of George W. Bush over Albert Gore in the contentious Presidential election of 2000.
From the Houston Chronicle:
WILLIAM H. REHNQUISTGod save these United States.BIRTH DATE: Oct. 1, 1924.
EDUCATION: Bachelor's and master's degree, Stanford University, 1948; master's degree, Harvard University, 1949; law degree, Stanford University, 1952.
CAREER: U.S. Army Air Corps soldier, 1943-46; law clerk to Justice Robert H. Jackson, 1951-53; private practice in Phoenix, Ariz., 1953-69; assistant U.S. attorney general, Office of Legal Counsel, 1969-71; named to Supreme Court by President Nixon, 1972; elevated to chief justice by President Reagan, 1986.
MAJOR CASES: Bush v. Gore, making George W. Bush president in 2000; cases allowing the use of public money for religious institutions, boosting authority of the states and greater government powers for police searches.
FAMILY: Married to Natalie Cornell, now deceased; three children.
Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
Not sure God plays a part here? Wouldn't a believer think He also created the hurricane.
Some good data there.
- Temple
2 - Ronald C McKito
There is always a reason behind everything.
3 - Mike Mundo
RE: Rehnquist dead. New Orleans dead.
We are living through a natural, and self induced cultural change, guided by a series of unyielding historical events, altering America forever. In addition, there exists a certain reality, which ply's the heated metal of misunderstanding into a newly disguised, different, and unusual birth of myths and rumors reaming of the untruth. Untruths that therefore become a part of a new history.
I believe it to be incredibly ironic that two American earthquakes have occured in the same week: Judge Rehnquist passing, and Hurricane Katrina; newly born icons in an America already confused over it's personality, and it's destiny.
And may I input one more thought? I heard today in one of radio's mucho many, money reports, Katrina will far surpass Andrew ($27 Billion dollars)in Hurricane misfortune by $80 Billion bucks. I believe that to be small in truth. However, there is more.
Nothing in the American fear factor allows for the incredible damage, far beyond anything ever known in human history, to understand the trickle down affect of 100 Billion lost dollars. Therefore, how can $760,000,000,000, almost 8 times more, not be figured into the equation of an economic nuclear blast the world has never known?
That is what persoanal credit card debt has risen to in America as of last May/05.
As wonderful as America is, it will never be the same. We have upsized our spending frenzy, and downsized our common sense. And as liberal is, liberal does. We have exampled the true heart of humans when they are put in pretech conditions, who are already living in a world full of myths and untruths.
Think about New Orleans when the pending depression begings? In the meantime, store food and buy guns.
4 - Silas Kain
To my horror all three branches of government are now controlled by a faction of the Republican Party. There is no system of checks and balances as mandated by the US Constitution. Oh, it's there on paper, but come on now be serious. Does anyone really buy it this time? All we need now is for Scalia to be nominated Chief Justice and for Gonzales or Ashcroft to be nominated as Scalia's replacement. Does anyone know which countries outside the US have defection laws where some of us may be eligible?
5 - Seceding State
Rehnquist's death got the reception it deserved. He was not a fair justice. He didn't earn the people's trust. He didn't change history.
Now he dies during a debacle he would have quieted, but HA the debacle quiets him.
His cancer was symbolic of the Republican party's relationship with America.
6 - jeff
so by reading all of your posts, i can see that New orleans will be the cause of a depression and that cancer is something to make fun of? i hope you do find a country that will be willing to take you.
Canada has defection laws, Cuba also, mexico as well.
please leave and soon. we will not miss you.