Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist Dies

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who was a member of the Supreme court for 33 years and led it for the last 20, died in his home in Virginia on Saturday evening, according to a Supreme Court spokeswoman.

Rehnquist, 80, had been battling thyroid cancer since last October. He was surrounded by his three children, according to the announcement.

Despite speculation that the conservative judge would retire earlier this year, he indicated at the close of this year's judicial session that he would continue as long as his health permitted.

"The President and Mrs. Bush are deeply saddened at the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist. His family is in their thoughts and prayers," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

His death takes on added significance as the future of the Supreme Court takes shape. President Bush will soon have the task on nominating a judge to replace Rehnquist, who was considered a conservative.

In 1973, he was one of two dissenting Supreme Court Justices in the Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion. In his opinion opposing the decision, he said, "Even today, when society's views on abortion are changing, the very existence of the debate is evidence that the 'right' to an abortion is not so universally accepted as (Roe) would have us believe."

In a 5-4 decision in 2002, Rehnquist said that parents may use public tax money to send their children to religious schools, the Associated Press reported. He also asserted in 2004 his support for the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance." "The phrase 'under God' in the pledge seems, as a historical matter, to sum up the attitude of the nation's leaders, and to manifest itself in many of our public observances," he wrote.

In 2003, he also voted to uphold Texas sodomy laws in 2003. The Court, however, voted to throw them out.