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. REHNQUIST

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.

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