Lawmakers pay tribute to late Justice Stevens

Lawmakers paid tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens on Tuesday evening after the top court announced he had died at the age of 99. 

A leading liberal during his nearly 35 years on the high court from 1975-2010, Stevens played a central role in key decisions, including bolstering laws to protect civil rights, abortion access and the environment. Prior to his judicial career, he served as an intelligence officer during World War II, breaking Japanese radio codes and ultimately earning a Bronze Star.

{mosads}“From breaking codes in World War II to breaking down barriers for civil rights, Justice John Paul Stevens lived up to those words above the Court: Equal Justice Under Law. Our nation was better for his service and we mourn his loss,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) tweeted. 

From breaking codes in World War II to breaking down barriers for civil rights, Justice John Paul Stevens lived up to those words above the Court: Equal Justice Under Law. Our nation was better for his service and we mourn his loss.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 16, 2019

“John Paul Stevens served with integrity and honor on the Supreme Court for over 3 decades. He was a dedicated public servant who put the law and the Constitution ahead of politics. Saddened to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a fellow White House hopeful, echoed. 

John Paul Stevens served with integrity and honor on the Supreme Court for over 3 decades. He was a dedicated public servant who put the law and the Constitution ahead of politics. Saddened to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. https://t.co/tNJJyqAx8O

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) July 16, 2019

“Justice John Paul Stevens was a great man and a model jurist: fair, wise, compassionate. A champion for civil rights, equality, and accountability who devoted his life to the ideal of equal justice under law. Our judiciary today needs more like him. He will be sorely missed,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. 

Justice John Paul Stevens was a great man and a model jurist: fair, wise, compassionate.

A champion for civil rights, equality, and accountability who devoted his life to the ideal of equal justice under law.

Our judiciary today needs more like him.

He will be sorely missed.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 16, 2019

“At this fraught moment, John Paul Stevens reminds us of what a Justice should be. He cast aside party and applied the Constitution to protect the vulnerable and hold accountable the powerful. His eloquent dissent in Citizens United reminds us of the work still to do,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) tweeted, referencing Stevens’s opposition to a Supreme Court ruling that lifted limits on political donations by corporations.

At this fraught moment, John Paul Stevens reminds us of what a Justice should be. He cast aside party and applied the Constitution to protect the vulnerable and hold accountable the powerful. His eloquent dissent in Citizens United reminds us of the work still to do. pic.twitter.com/iLgbwshZGp

— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 16, 2019

“The first vote I ever cast for a Supreme Court Justice was for John Paul Stevens, a true champion of the law, of decency, and of equal justice for all. He is already sorely missed,” Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said in a statement. “I’ll miss my conversations with him and all I learned from him.”

Reaction To The Passing Of Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevenshttps://t.co/9Rmwh8qJPZ pic.twitter.com/VSwG0lxVc4

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) July 16, 2019

“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. His impact on our nation with his more than 34 years on the Court was immense. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, tweeted. 

I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. His impact on our nation with his more than 34 years on the Court was immense. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) July 16, 2019

“John Paul Steven’s was a legendary jurist. He was also a father, husband, and war hero who was by all accounts a great man. He lived a rich and long life. May he rest in peace,” Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.) said. 

John Paul Steven’s was a legendary jurist. He was also a father, husband, and war hero who was by all accounts a great man. He lived a rich and long life. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/geJC3S1CvF

— Rep. Donna E. Shalala (@RepShalala) July 16, 2019

“RIP, Justice John Paul Stevens. A Navy veteran of WWII, he went on to serve on the Supreme Court for 35 years. He lived a life of public service, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) tweeted. 

RIP, Justice John Paul Stevens. A Navy veteran of WWII, he went on to serve on the Supreme Court for 35 years. He lived a life of public service, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family.

— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) July 16, 2019

Stevens is survived by his two daughters, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.