February 13, 2016
Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt issued the following statement after hearing of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia:
Today, our nation lost one of its finest public servants: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. I am deeply grieving the loss of Justice Scalia in two ways: as a friend, blessed by his kindness, and as an American, blessed by his wisdom.
Few in the history of this nation have done more to defend, preserve and protect the United States Constitution. Few have been better endowed by their Creator to articulate the principles upon which our liberty rests. And even fewer, if any in our history, have used that ability better than Justice Scalia. He was by my account, and no doubt by many, the greatest jurist of our lifetime.
Justice Scalia was a lion of liberty. He was also a man whose personal life mirrored the greatness of his public works. He was the father of nine children, and a husband in a marriage that lasted fifty-six years. Justice Scalia guided me to the church where I met my wife, Jaime. His son, Father Paul Scalia, married us. Through his family, writings and opinions, Justice Scalia shaped countless lives. His life served as a reminder that one could be profoundly committed to both one's country and one's family.
Few carried more responsibilities or had more demands on their schedule than Justice Scalia. Yet he took the time to visit Nevada to attend our Red Mass and to fly fish on our rivers and lakes. He always made time for those who needed him. He was never in a hurry, but savored this life, while cognizant of the life to come. He wore his greatness lightly.
I will miss him as friend and as a mentor. I am deeply saddened for the Scalia family, and for all of those fortunate enough to call Antonin Scalia a friend. We have lost one of our greatest bulwarks against those who would undermine our Constitution, the rule of law and our American way of government.
As a lifelong Catholic, Justice Scalia was an admirer of St. Paul, so perhaps it is best to end with him. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." It would be hard to better describe Justice Scalia.
###