Archive: William H. Rehnquist
Supreme Court Ceremony
Daniela Deane and Tom Jackman in TWPThe flag-draped coffin of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist was brought to the Supreme Court's Great Hall this morning as court justices, his nominated successor and friends and family looked on in a highly symbolic and emotional ceremony marking the death of the nation's 16th chief justice....
By Fred Barbash | September 6, 2005; 06:47 PM ET | Email a Comment
Tributes to Rehnquist
Editorial, USA Today:Chief Justice William Rehnquist was that rarity among public officials: one who worked to make his office less powerful. From his days as a Supreme Court clerk a half-century ago until his death Saturday after 33 years on the court, Rehnquist argued for leaving important decisions to state legislatures or, if necessary, Congress -- not the courts. The result was a career that foreshadowed much of today's political debate, and one that helps to focus it.Editorial, the New York Times:Today's funeral service for Chief Justice William Rehnquist and the imminent start of hearings in the Senate on Judge John Roberts Jr., the nominee to succeed him on the Supreme Court, provide a moment to honor one of the vital but less celebrated hallmarks of Chief Justice Rehnquist's 33-year service on the court: his proud record of defending the independence of the federal judiciary against attacks by politicians....
By Fred Barbash | September 6, 2005; 02:35 PM ET | Email a Comment
Funeral Arrangements
From Reuters: The body of Chief Justice William Rehnquist will lie in repose at the Supreme Court this week and he will then be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a court spokeswoman said Sunday. Spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said funeral services for Rehnquist, who died at his home Saturday evening after battling thyroid cancer for nearly a year, are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington. She said members of the public are invited to pay their respects when Rehnquist's body lies in repose at the Supreme Court Tuesday and Wednesday until noon. Similar ceremonies have been held at the Supreme Court in the past for other deceased high court justices, including Thurgood Marshall and William Brennan. Rehnquist, 80, who carved out a record as one of the most conservative jurists in U.S. history in his more than 33 years on the high court, died about...
By Fred Barbash | September 4, 2005; 09:46 PM ET | Comments (1)
