Some were dressed in typical tourist attire, flip flops, and cargo shorts. Others donned suits and high heels. But all who visited the flag-draped casket of Justice John Paul Stevens at the Supreme Court today wore sad expressions as they recalled the brilliance and humility of the late legal legend.
“Justice Stevens was an extraordinary man. He was a great American. And he had a belief in the importance of the rule of law and of equal rights under the law for everyone,” one of Stevens’ former law clerks, Jeff Lehman, told the Washington Examiner. “He was inspiring for all Americans and he leaves a great legacy for anyone who cares about justice in America.”
Justice John Paul Stevens died last Tuesday evening in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 99. Stevens, a decorated World War II naval officer, was appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975 to serve on the Supreme Court. The late justice, whose evolving opinions eventually solidified him as a staunch liberal leader on the bench, served for more than 34 years until he retired in 2010.
Former colleagues, law clerks, friends, family, and members of the public visited the casket of Stevens as he lay in repose in the Supreme Court Monday.
“It’s a piece of history,” Scott Keller, a 44-year-old Nebraska resident said. “He’s a Supreme Court Justice, whether I agree with him or disagree with him it’s quite an honor.”
“It’s the first [memorial] I’ve seen, but it really was kind of moving. To just think about all the history in there. It makes you think about the current Supreme Court Justices and the fights they’re fighting,” said Eddie Williams, a Missouri native who was visiting with his wife Kathy.
Ruston Conley, a 10-year-old from Arizona, was impressed with the memorial and painting of Stevens that graced the room. His mother, Patricia Conley, 55, said she remembered studying opinions written by Stevens when she was getting her criminal justice degree.
For those who were close to Justice Stevens and his work, the memorial had a deeper meaning.
John Cunningham, a friend of the Stevens family, was sworn into the Supreme Court Bar by Justice Stevens during the Rehnquist court. He admired the strength, longevity, and unbiased mind of the late justice.
“His legacy speaks for itself, being one of the longest tenured Supreme Court justices and being part of extremely important decisions,” Cunningham, a Virginia resident, told the Washington Examiner. “[He was] a justice that got along with both sides of the aisle, which I think is also an important part of his legacy. He stood out as a beacon of intellectualism for the court.”
According to Cunningham, Justice Stevens led a very active life after he left the bench and visited Portugal just months before his death.
Melissa Rogers, a Virginia lawyer, said she admired his positivity and appreciated his sense of humor. Rogers, 53, hopes he can serve as an inspiration that brings the country together.
President Trump and the first lady paid their respects late Monday morning.
We remember the extraordinary life & honorable work of Justice John Paul Stevens as @POTUS & I paid our respects inside the Great Hall of the @USSupremeCourt this morning. Our continued prayers & sympathies are with the Stevens family. pic.twitter.com/jBEgTR94YQ
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) July 22, 2019
Stevens will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday.
