Comments on the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist:

• U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: "William Rehnquist will forever be known as one of the greatest chief justices in American history. He was a towering figure on the court and a good, decent man. He has left his stamp on American law like few other jurists have or ever will.

"I was privileged to know Chief Justice Rehnquist well, and he was my good friend. My thoughts go to his dear family at this difficult time. I know that he has many friends who are deeply grieved, and Elaine and I pray that his family may be comforted and find peace in their memories of a fine father, exceptional jurist and a truly great American."

• U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah: "I believe William Rehnquist was one of the outstanding chief justices in American history. Although I'm not a lawyer, I have read several of his books — additional evidence of his brilliant legal mind. I'm grateful for his outstanding service to our nation and believe he will be sorely missed."

• U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah: "I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Justice Rehnquist. His heroic battle against thyroid cancer these past months was truly inspirational. During his 33-year tenure on the bench, Justice Rehnquist served his profession, the Supreme Court and our country in the finest tradition of community service."

• Anthony D. Romero, executive director, American Civil Liberties Union: "We express our sincere condolences to Chief Justice Rehnquist's family and friends. Though we disagreed with the chief justice on many issues, he will be remembered for his long service to the court and his profound impact on American constitutional law.

"With the passing of the chief justice and the resignation of Justice O'Connor, the nation is faced with two vacancies to fill on a closely divided Supreme Court. We call on the president to choose a replacement for Chief Justice Rehnquist who will protect civil liberties and preserve the court's constitutional role in our system of checks and balances."

• David A. Harris, executive director, American Jewish Committee: "Chief Justice Rehnquist's term as head of our nation's high court was marked by a strong and unrelenting commitment to the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court and the overall federal judicial system for which he had administrative responsibility."

• Rev. Paul C. Schenck, executive director, National Pro-Life Action Center: "Chief Justice William Rehnquist was a great example of a jurist who understood the proper role of a judge in American law and government. He always endeavored to deliver decisions that were within the parameters that the Constitution provided rather than create new laws from the bench. He was a fair man, and even though I sometimes disagreed with him, his rulings and leadership were clearly guided by the text of the Constitution and thereby set a necessary example in an age of runaway judicial activism."

• Tony Perkins, president, Family Research Council: "As chief justice, Mr. Rehnquist was a principled jurist and had shown the greatest respect for the text and history of the Constitution. As chief justice, Rehnquist left the Supreme Court with a distinguished legacy.

"He rightly declined to vote in the case of President Nixon's White House tapes. He presided over the Clinton impeachment trial with dignity and fairness to all. He helped resolve the election crisis of 2000 and, even though he was battling cancer, he bravely mustered all his strength last January. Dramatically, he swore in the president for a second term."