FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 5, 2005

Isakson Mourns Death of Rehnquist,
Praises Nomination of John Roberts as Chief Justice

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today issued the following statement on the death of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and the announcement this morning that President Bush will nominate Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to be Chief Justice.

“I join the nation in mourning the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. During more than three decades on our nation’s highest court, Justice Rehnquist built a legacy as a strong defender of the Constitution whose wisdom and leadership guided the court skillfully through numerous landmark decisions.

“I also want to express my support for President Bush’s decision to nominate Judge John Roberts to the Chief Justice position. I agree with the President that it is critical to open the next term of the Supreme Court with a Chief Justice in place, and Judge Roberts is an excellent choice. It is my hope that the Senate will work quickly to give Judge Roberts a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote by the full Senate before the Court’s term opens on October 3.”

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