'Supreme' Honor for Jackson
Chief Justice Presides At Dedication Of Center
By JOHN WHITTAKER
William H. Rehnquist, chief Justice of the United States, shares a smile with the audience Friday during his keynote address at the dedication of the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown. P-J photo by Roger D. Roselli Jr. |
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has participated in some of the most important events in the history of the United States during his 32-year tenure on the Supreme Court.
As an associate justice, Rehnquist issued a dissenting opinion in the landmark Roe V. Wade abortion decision.
More than 25 years later, Rehnquist led the nation through the impeachment proceedings of President William J. Clinton and then the resolution of the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
On Friday morning, Rehnquist revisited the memories of the start of his legal career that began in 1952 when Justice Robert H. Jackson, then in his 11th year on the Supreme Court, invited the Stanford Law School graduate to become his clerk.
More than 50 years later, Rehnquist has fond recollections of his time at Jackson’s side and of getting his first glimpse into the life of a Supreme Court justice.
Rehnquist was in Jamestown to serve as the keynote speaker for the dedication of the Robert H. Jackson Center.
The center, located on the corner of Fourth Street and Prendergast Avenue, was incorporated two years ago to advance Jackson’s legacy through education, exhibits and presentations.
‘‘I am pleased to be here for the dedication of the Jackson Center,’’ Rehnquist said during a 25-minute speech from the porch of the Jackson Center. ‘‘I served as one of his law clerks for a year-and-ahalf — from February 1952 until June 1953. It was one of the most rewarding times of my life.’’
More than 1,000 people attended the dedication ceremony. Among those attending were dozens of members of the judicary and legal community from throughout New York state.
The guests included members of Jackson’s extended family and the Rev. Moritz Fuchs, the justice’s bodyguard during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trails after World War II.
‘‘It’s fitting his legacy, in the form of the Robert H. Jackson Center, be located here,’’ said Greg Peterson, Jackson Center president, in his opening remarks. ‘‘To Betty Lenna, to Carl Cappa and to Daniel Bratton, we say thank you for a vision realized today where we can gather to honor Justice Jackson in the presence of his family, his friends and his former law clerk, now Chief Justice of the United States, William H. Rehnquist.’’
Professor John Q. Barrett, Elizabeth S. Lenna Scholar at the Jackson Center, introduced Rehnquist with words Jackson’s used when offering Rehnquist a clerk’s position in 1951.
Shortly after, he was promoted to the actual U.S. Attorney General position. All of his work had paid off and finally in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt nominated him to the Supreme Court. Jackson ended up serving thirteen years in this profession, dying on October 9, 1954 at the age of 62.
Robert H. Jackson has become a hero among numerous national leaders, not to mention many other people as well. He had accomplished so many different task throughout his lifetime, that most could never imagine.
He found a career, stuck with it, and kept working harder, to develop into a higher position. Although, he was not always popular in his community, he was still respected for the work he did. The law to him was like a religion, and it practice was more than a means of support; it was a mission. A mission that Jackson had defeated.
Future generations can benefit, and learn a lot from Jackson. It’s okay to set goals, make mistakes along the way, learn from them and move on. It will only help to aid you where you want to proceed in life. Robert H. Jackson has played such a prominent role in our country’s history, and he will always be remembered for his wonderful achievements.’’