Marshall Finalizes Court Retirement
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WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall retired Tuesday without waiting for nominee Clarence Thomas to win Senate confirmation as his successor.
Marshall, 83, announced on June 27 his intention to retire “when my successor is qualified.” In a one-paragraph note to President Bush on Tuesday, he said: “I now request that my retirement become effective as of this date.”
Marshall, who last month underwent surgery to implant a heart pacemaker, has not been participating in the court’s closed-door conference to prepare for the start Monday of its 1991-92 term.
Thomas is not expected to win Senate confirmation in time to participate in the 12 cases to be argued next week, leaving the court with eight members to decide those cases.
Marshall’s retirement Tuesday apparently was not prompted by any further health problem. His timing suggested that he expected Thomas to be confirmed soon.
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