www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/04/rehnquist.reaction/index.html
A statement from Justice David Souter is not expected, the cour t said. Justice John Paul Stevens: "William Rehnquist's independent, impartial and dedicated leadership of t he Supreme Court has been an inspiration to those of us privileged to se rve with him -- and to the entire nation as well. Charles Evans Hughes, a great chief justice whom he particularly admired, would have been prou d of the example he set as the leader of the court. "He was truly the first among equals in discharging his judicial duties i n a prompt, scholarly and fair manner. He was a good friend, maintaining his sense of humor and proportion throughout the difficult period that marked his most recent service. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: "William Rehnquist will go down in history as one of the great chief just ices of the Supreme Court of the United States. He steered the court alo ng a path of responsibility and careful analysis throughout his 19 years as chief justice. He led the court with firm principles but with a ligh t touch. He never lost his sense of humor and he was able to secure the cooperation and admiration of all of the justices for the years in which he served. Justice Antonin Scalia: "Chief Justice William H Rehnquist led a philosophically diverse group o f justices through 19 years in which public attention was focused upon t he Supreme Court to an unprecedented degree. His keen intellect and soun d judgment commanded the respect of his colleagues, and his personal qua lities of considerateness and fairness won their affection. His death is a loss to the court, to all the federal judiciary that he headed for so long, and to the nation. Justice Anthony Kennedy: "William Rehnquist was a warm, compassionate, decent man; In his personal relations he was unpretentious to the point of being casual, almost as if to put friends and colleagues at ease with his vast knowledge of hist ory, remarkable grasp of the law, and a mind so precise he was at once f ormidable and delightful. He was a skillful presiding officer of exempla ry fairness. The American people can be grateful to them for the distinguished public service William Rehnquist gave to the court and to our nation." Justice Clarence Thomas: "Virginia and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of the chief j ustice. He was a good man who epitomized fairness, dignity, and strength of character. O ur thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family." Justice Stephen G Breyer: "The chief justice was a brave, intelligent man deeply committed to maint aining the rule of law preserving an independent judiciary. He administered the court, as he did the ju dicial system, effectively and with great fairness. He never allowed dis agreements about the law to become personal and the court followed his e xample. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "Chief Justice William H Rehnquist was the fairest, most efficient boss I have ever had. A plain speaker without a irs or affectations, the chief fostered a spirit of collegiality among t he nine of us perhaps unparalleled in the court's history. He regarded a n independent judiciary as our country's hallmark and pride, and in his annual reports, he constantly urged Congress to safeguard that independe nce.
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