Remarks of the Chief Justice
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Modernization of the Supreme Court Building
June 17, 2003

Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the groundbreaking ceremony for the modernization of the Supreme Court Building.

Seventy-two years ago, in the spring of 1931, the work of digging the foundation for our beautiful building began. Four years later, on April 4, 1935, the building was completed. The total cost, including furnishings, was less than $10 million -- and it came in under budget, with almost $100,000 returned to the Treasury. The renovation project for which we break ground today is scheduled to take five years and cost about $122 million. When it is completed, I hope that we will again be returning funds to the Treasury.

William Howard Taft, who served as Chief Justice from 1921 to 1930, was the moving force behind constructing a separate building for the Court, although he did not live long enough to see it completed. Until this building opened, the Court did not have a home of its own. From 1801 to 1935 it occupied cramped quarters across the street in the Capitol, very much at the sufferance of Congress, and most Justices worked out of their homes. Having its own building was of great symbolic importance to the Court.

The building has been kept in excellent repair and looks as beautiful as the day I first saw it in February of 1952. But after nearly seventy years, it is overdue for a renovation.

I would like to thank the members of the Court's Building Committee, particularly Justice O'Connor, who chairs the committee. I know the committee members have all worked hard to make sure that this renovation is done right, and is completed on schedule and within the budget. I would also like to thank the Architect of the Capitol, Alan Hantman, and his staff who have been assigned to this project for all of their hard work.

Before we begin digging, Justice O'Connor will make brief remarks.