The Supreme Court released the letter sent by Justice Anthony Kennedy on Wednesday announcing his retirement.
“It has been the greatest honor and privilege to serve our nation in the federal judiciary for 43 years, 30 of those years on the Supreme Court,” Kennedy was quoted as saying in an accompanying statement released by the Supreme Court Public Infromation Office.
Kennedy, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in the late 1980s, also said his decision to retire was so he could spend more time with his family.
His retirement will be effective on July 31.
