"Chief Justice Rehnquist's over three decades of service on the court will have an impact for decades to come," said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign, along with our fellow Americans and people worldwide, learned late last night that William Rehnquist, chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, passed away after a year-long bout with cancer. Today we offer our condolences to the chief justice's family, friends and colleagues.

"Chief Justice Rehnquist's over three decades of service on the court will have an impact for decades to come," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "The chief justice's passing is a time for national reflection: about who we are as a nation, and how far we've come since he began his service on the court in 1972."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.