Posted on 09/04/2005 11:48:48 AM PDT by mhking
Contact: David Almasi of Project 21, 202-543-4110 ext. 11 or Project21@nationalcenter.org
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 /U.S. Newswire/ -- U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Hubbs Rehnquist's passing is mourned by members of the black leadership network Project 21.
"Chief Justice Rehnquist will be remembered as one of a few historic heads of the Supreme Court," said Project 21 member Horace Cooper, a law professor at the George Mason University Law School. "A conservative jurist who was appointed to an activist liberal Court, Chief Justice Rehnquist helped restore a new federalism in constitutional law and strengthened local law enforcement. His tenure marked a new tolerance for faith and religion in the public square. Overall, the Rehnquist Court significantly moderated the activist liberalism of earlier courts. He was a brilliant, principled lawyer who reflected the commonsense conservative values of our nation. His stewardship of the Supreme Court will be greatly missed."
Chief Justice Rehnquist was first appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court as an associate justice by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972, and was promoted to Chief Justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. On the Court, he was known as a strong advocate of freeing state governments from overreaching federal intrusion and of conservative values. He was only the second chief justice to preside over a presidential impeachment. He died on September 3 after battling thyroid cancer.
"Rehnquist was a jurist who truly understood the role of the court. He did not let personal opinions cloud his interpretation of the Constitution," said Project 21 member Geoffrey Moore. "His opinions were grounded in the idea that he is to interpret the law, not create it."
Project 21 member Mychal Massie added: "The passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist leaves America with not only one less constitutionalist, but one less judicial statesman. He now takes his place as one of America's judicial servants whose fidelity was to that document that insures life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all Americans. We are blessed to have had him serve in our lifetime."
"Chief Justice Rehnquist's gentlemanly demeanor showed that it is indeed possible to disagree without being disagreeable, despite the deteriorating cordiality of American politics," noted Project 21 member Michael King. "Chief Justice Rehnquist's standard is one that we, as a nation, should follow. President Bush now has the formidable task of selecting a jurist who will live up to this standard. Rehnquist's replacement should be someone who will follow the will of the Framers' as set forth in the Constitution, and should not attempt to legislate from the bench."
Project 21 takes no position on the confirmation of any particular judicial nominee, but believes that it is in the best interest of the United States that judicial vacancies are filled with appropriate speed. Project 21, a non-profit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice in the black community since 1992.
For more information, contact David Almasi at 202-543-4110 ext. 11, e-mail Project21@nationalcenter.org or visit Project 21's Web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.
If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)
Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.
While Mychal Massie can be sometimes out there, I agree with him here.
CT 4 CJOTSC. Pass it on.
"Chief Justice Rehnquist's gentlemanly demeanor showed that it is indeed possible to disagree without being disagreeable, despite the deteriorating cordiality of American politics," noted Project 21 member Michael King.
No truer words my friend. Hope all is okay.
Clarence Thomas for Chief Justice!!!
Judge Rehnquist, Project 21 bump
Justice Thomas has my support for Chief Justice. AND the sooner the better!
I'm emailing President Bush and my elected officials in Washington to urge them to get it done in the interest of the United States of America.
Chief Justice Rehnquist believed that the three branches of government should be equal, and he had faith in our representative government.
Either Justice Thomas or Justice Scalia would be great Chief Justices.
Indeed a great loss. His legacy will not be in vain.
He can help us more in heaven.
He is a good and intelligent man. He would certainly get my vote. (What a poke in the eye that would be for those racists on the Judiciary Committee.)
That title caused a bit of puzzlement in my mind - normally "black activists" and "conservative" don't go together....
Can you imagine how the libs would be confused?
The late Chief Justice's family in in my prayers.
Thanks for the ping.
G-d bless this professor for speaking out.
THank you for posting this article.
"Either Justice Thomas or Justice Scalia would be great Chief Justices."
Hello and I couldn't agree with you more.
Hey milford, and thanks.
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