Kent Conrad: “today, we remember the life and dedication of one of the most influential leaders of the U.S. Supreme Court. William H.…”

“today, we remember the life and dedication of one of the most influential leaders of the U.S. Supreme Court. William H. Rehnquist, 16th Chief Justice of the United States, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2005. A midwesterner, Rehnquist's service to our country dates back to March 1943 when he was drafted to the U.S. Army Air Corps, the equivalent of today's U.S. Air Force. He served in World War II until 1946. After his time in the military, Rehnquist began his academic journey under the G.I. bill at Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and ultimately graduated first in his class at the Stanford Law School. After clerking for Justice Robert H. Jackson, Rehnquist spent the next 16 years in private practice in Arizona. In 1971, President Nixon nominated William Rehnquist to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. As Associate Justice, Rehnquist was nicknamed the ``Lone Ranger'' for his many lone dissents on the nine-member Court. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan elevated William Rehnquist to Chief Justice of the United States. In that role, Rehnquist became known for his ability to foster and retain collegiality among Associate Justices with widely differing views on the issues before the Court. He was an outstanding leader of the judicial branch of our Government. Those of us in the Senate probably remember him best for his service during the impeachment trial for President Clinton.…”