U.S. Supreme Court Justices from both sides of the ideological divide continue to honor the late Antonin Scalia with praises and warm tributes at gatherings following his death. His colleagues remembered his sharpness of mind intellect, acute interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, openness to engagement, and genuine humanity.
Judge Scalia died on February 13 at the age of 79 after serving three decades on the highest judiciary in the country.
Reuters reports the most recent memorial held for him by his family at a ballroom in the Mayflower Hotel at Washington, D.C. Five hundred people, including all the justices, attended. Close friend and fellow friend Clarence Thomas made the audience alternately laugh and cry with his anecdotes culled from years of friendship. Thomas said that Scalia was always prepared to do legal battle for the U.S. Constitution, which both of them interpreted according to its 18th century context.
Liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg commended Scalia for his meticulous criticism that improved her draft opinions. At the same time he was sensitive to her disposition every time a conservative ruling won.
It was not the first time that a liberal justice commended Scalia. CNS quotes the words of Martha Minow, the Dean of the Harvard Law School, upon his death: "Justice Scalia will be remembered as one of the most influential jurists in American history - he changed how the Court approaches statutory interpretation, and in countless areas introduced new ways of thinking about the Constitution and the role of the Court. ... He was also one of the most effective writers in the history of the Court, and he had an exceptional gift for the memorable phrase. He had a terrific sense of humor, which was accompanied by great personal warmth."
According to ABC News, Chief Justice John Roberts read Scalia's considerable accomplishments the first time the tribunal convened after his passing: Scalia's seat remained drape in black. The Supreme Court will also hold its own service for Scalia at 'the appropriate time," said Roberts.
