 On May 27, 1986, Chief Justice Berger advised me that he wanted to devote his full energies in the coming year to the important work of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution, and for that reason would be retiring as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as of the end of the Court's current term. Today, I received with regret Chief Justice Berger's letter formally notifying me of his retirement. And immediately after my conversation with the Chief Justice, I had directed my Chief of Staff together with the Attorney General and the Council of the President to develop recommendations for a successor. And I am pleased to announce my intention to nominate William H. Renquist, currently an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, as the new Chief Justice of the United States. On Justice Renquist confirmation, I intend to nominate Antonin Scalia, currently a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as Justice Renquist's successor. In taking this action, I am mindful of the importance of these nominations. The Supreme Court of the United States is the final arbiter of our Constitution and the meaning of our laws. The Chief Justice and the Eight Associate Justice of the Court must not only be just jurists of the highest competence, they must also be attended to the rights specifically guaranteed in our Constitution and to the proper role of the courts in our democratic system. In choosing Justice Renquist and Judge Scalia, I have not only selected judges who are sensitive to these matters, but through their distinguished backgrounds and achievements reflect my desire to appoint the most qualified individuals to serve in our courts. Justice Renquist has been an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court since 1971, a role in which he has served with great distinction and skill. He is noted for his intellectual power, the lucidity of his opinions, and the respect he enjoys among his colleagues. Judge Scalia has been a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 1982. His great personal energy, the force of his intellect, and the depth of his understanding of our constitutional jurisprudence uniquely qualify him for elevation to our highest court. I hope the Senate will promptly consider and confirm these gifted interpreters of our laws. In closing, I want to say a word about Chief Justice Berger. He has led the Court, the Supreme Court for 17 years, a time of great change and yet a period also of consolidation and stability in the decisions of the Court. With the Chief Justice Berger's guidance, the Court has remained faithful to precedent while it sought out the principles that underlay the framers' words. He is retiring now in order to devote his full attentions to a momentous occasion in our country's history, the observance in 1987 of the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. This is an endeavor for which all Americans will be grateful and to which I and members of the administration will lend our total support. I'm proud and honored to stand here today with Chief Justice Berger, with Justice Rehnquist, and with Judge Scalia, and to discharge my constitutional responsibilities as President of the United States. Thank you all. God bless you. The President, what impact do you think this will have on the abortion issue, perhaps the most emotional issue facing the Court? It probably won't surprise you when I tell you that I'm not going to take any questions now. Chief Justice Berger is available for any questions you might have of him, and I think the others other than... Are you satisfied with what you've done on the abortion issue, though, sir? Are you satisfied with the judge's reason for you on the abortion issue? I'm not going to answer any questions. If I start answering one... Well, Mr. President, what was the process which led you to Judge Scalia? Did you know him before? Did people come to you and recommend him? What was the process? What was the process which led you to Judge Scalia? Well, surely you must think, sir, that he agrees with you on such issues as abortion, affirmative action, prayer in the schools? That's a question. And as you said... Mr. President, Mr. Meese... I can't say no questions. I can't say no answers. Mr. President, without a question, would you tell us a little bit about the new justice? Whatever you can? The background material. He's made available to us. Do you know him personally? Do you want to take questions on another subject? Have you heard from Gorbachev on the summit yet, sir? No, I think the subject today is justice. Did Justice Berger recommend his successor? Did he recommend his successor? No, the justice said that he would not presume to do that. He did discuss with me, uh, individuals, and to give me his opinion on this. Well, Mr. Chief Justice, maybe it's appropriate now to ask you to give us your thoughts after, uh, what, since 1969, 17 years in the court? 17 years, yes. Sum up your tenure. What do you think he's done for the court? It's taken me about 17 years, and you don't want to spend that much time. Why are you leaving the court, sir? Could you explain a little bit why you're leaving the court? For one primary reason, that the 200th anniversary of the Constitution got a late start, the celebration got a late start. It is vastly under-financed, and we're going to have the devil's own time trying to do the kind of a job that ought to be done for this great event. John Warner, the chairman of the 76th event you remember, was drafted from his job as secretary of the Navy, which he did not want to leave. Uh, and he told me, being an old friend, he told me when this subject came up last year that