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William Rehnquist

1924 -

United States Supreme Court Chief Justice since 1986

by Rit Nosotro

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For thirty-three years, William Rehnquist has been a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. First appointed by President Nixon, and appointed to the position of Chief Justice by President Reagan, Rehnquist has faced many difficult decisions throughout his life. Despite the pressure he's faced, and the difficulties he has encountered, he has stood strong on his beliefs, no matter the costs.

CHILDHOOD AND EARLY YEARS
Born to William B. and Margery Rehnquist on October 1, 1924, William Hubbs Rehnquist was raised in a middle class family in Shorewood, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. His father, a paper salesman, and his mother were strong conservatives, and this laid the foundation for his future as a Republican. Following his high school graduation, Rehnquist went to Kenyon College, until the opening of World War II. He joined the Army Air Force and served in North Africa from 1943-1946 as a weather observer. On his return to the United States, Rehnquist attended Stanford University, were, in 1948, he earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in political science.

EDUCATION
Rehnquist attended Harvard University, until 1950, when he graduated with a master's degree in government. Continuing his fast paced education, William Rehnquist then returned to Stanford University, this time attending law school. In the same class as Sandra Day O'Connor, Rehnquist graduated first in his class in 1952. While in law school, he impressed his fellow students and teachers with his ability as a scholar, and talented legal thinker. Because of his reputation, he managed to secure the position of legal clerk to Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson from February 1952 thru till June 1953. During this time, he wrote a memorandum on the desegregation issues that were being raised in Brown v. Board of Education, which he wrote reflecting Jackson's point of view. Despite Jackson's less then conservative views, Rehnquist's own political ideas did not change, and were even perhaps strengthened by the experience.

LEGAL CAREER
In 1953, he married Natalie Cornell, who was from California. Rehnquist and his bride moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he began working for a law firm. He became a Republican Party official and helped campaign during the 1964 elections. Through the Phoenix area he became a prominent republican figure. While living and working in Phoenix, the Rehnquists were active in their church, and had three children, James, Janet and Nancy. After sixteen years in Phoenix, William and his family returned to Washington D.C. with the election of President Richard Nixon. When Nixon appointed Richard Kleindienst, a friend of Rehnquist's, to the position of deputy attorney general of Nixon's administration, Rehnquist got the appointment of Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legal Counsel, a position he had from 1969-1971. While serving under this title, Rehnquist was the chief lawyer to Attorney General John Mitchell. In 1971, when Justice John Marshall Harlan retired from the Supreme Court, the Nixon administration chose Rehnquist for the position. Despite a Democratic Senate, his nomination was confirmed by a 68-26 vote.

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
On January 7th, 1971, William Rehnquist said his oath as he was sworn into office. It was not long before he was well known as not only the most conservative judge of Nixon's appointees, but also as a judge who was willing to stand on his own. Often writing the lone dissent in 8-1 cases, he was at times referred to as the "Lone Ranger." Opposed to affirmative action, Rehnquist felt that the Warren Court was too activist in their decision making, and frequently urged his fellow judges to use greater judicial restraint. His own decisions often fought the expansion of federal powers, and promoted state's rights. He voted against abortion, dissenting in Roe vs. Wade, and in favor of school prayer and capital punishment. While Rehnquist's strong opinions and dissenting actions might not have effected the court at that time, they laid a foundation for a more conservative future.

CHIEF JUSTICE
In 1986 President Ronald Reagan nominated William Rehnquist to replace retiring Chief Justice Warren Burger. Liberals and other opponents tried dragging him down with charges of being racist and a conservative extremist. However, despite this controversy, he was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 65-33. Since gaining the position of Chief Justice, Rehnquist has toned down his loner image, sometime making some liberal decisions. However, he continues to uphold state's rights, and a more conservative platform in general.

PERSONAL DIFFICULTIES
In 1977 Rehnquist severely injured his back, and has since faced lasting back pain. This has led to difficulties throughout the years, including bad side effects from pain relieving medicine prescribed for him. In 1991 his wife Natalie died of ovarian cancer, leaving him a widower. In October 2004 the Supreme Court announced that the Chief Justice had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and his health since then has continued to be an issue. Despite widespread concern, he was able to administer the oath of office to President George W. Bush on his return to the White House at his inaugural on January 20, 2005. While he remains in delicate condition, Rehnquist has still been active in his Supreme Court duties.

Throughout his life, William Rehnquist has fought hard for what he thought was right. Whether for the rights of babies to live, or the States' right to power, he has often had to stand alone for his beliefs. The last eighteen years he has presided as Supreme Court Chief Justice have been difficult ones in America's history, however, if it weren't for him, America's justice system, and consequently the whole country, would be a different place.

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CITATIONS:
Ariens, Michael. "Supreme Court Justices:William Rehnquist." Michael Ariens. 05 Jun. 2005 http://www.michaelariens.com/ConLaw/justices/rehnquist.htm

Goldman, Jerry. "William H. Rehnquist:Biography." U.S.Supreme Court Multimedia. 2004. Oyez. 05 Jun. 2005

"William Hubbs Rehnquist." Supreme Court Collection. Legal Information Institute. 05 Jun. 2005 .

"William Rehnquist." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 05 Jun. 2005 .