We mourn the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. The Chief Justice was eugolized today in a statement by President Bush: "He was extremely well respected for his powerful intellect. He was respected for his deep commitment to the rule of law and his profound devotion to duty. He provided superb leadership for the federal court system, improving the delivery of justice for the American people, and earning the admiration of his colleagues throughout the judiciary."
Chief Justice Rehnquist's impact on the interpretation of the First Amendment religion clauses will likely be seen as one of his most important legacies. In the Fall 2004 issue of Northwestern University Law Review, Prof. Kent Greenawalt reviewed this legacy in an article titled Religion and the Rehnquist Court [LEXIS link]. He begins his analysis by saying: "The Rehnquist Court has turned the constitutional law of religion nearly upside down." Whether one agrees or disagrees with the direction of the changes, most observers would agree with this assessment of the changes that have occurred.
