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Honoring the Legacy of Chief Justice John Marshall

Date: July 15, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Judicial Branch


HONORING THE LEGACY OF CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 15, 2004)

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I rise today in strong support of the resolution to honor the United States' fourth Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall by issuing 400,000 commemorative coins for the 250th anniversary of his birth. Chief Justice Marshall served in each of the three branches of government and, as the fourth Supreme Court Justice, was one of the most influential forces in building the federal government as we know it today.

John Marshall began his service to our country as a member of the Continental Army under George Washington. He fought alongside Washington in battles in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge. After the war Mr. Marshall became a lawyer and began his political career. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and then to the U.S. Congress as the Representative from the Richmond District in Virginia. His superior understanding of the law earned him the position of Secretary of State under the Adams' Administration. It was from here where he rose to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

It was in the Supreme Court that John Marshall made the greatest contributions to American history. Having served for 34 years, Chief Justice Marshall remains the longest serving Chief Justice. He has offered over 500 opinions and presided over such landmark cases as McCulloch v. Maryland and Marbury v. Madison, which established the power of judicial review and was the first decision to declare an Act of Congress unconstitutional. The opinions delivered from the Marshall Court have shaped the basic fundamentals of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

I believe that Chief Justice John Marshall's life-long legacy should be recognized. Therefore, I urge my fellow Members to vote with me in support of H.R. 2768 and honor Justice Marshal as one of the most influential figures in American history.

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