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Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes history as the first woman, Jewish person to lie in state at Capitol ceremony
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made history one final time Friday as she became the first woman and Jewish person to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began the day's events with a formal arrival ceremony in National Statuary Hall, in which eight military pallbearers carried Ginsburg's flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps as lawmakers stood in somber observance.
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led Ginsburg’s family into the large hall before her casket was carried inside. Lawmakers and guests, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden, held their hand over their hearts as Ginsburg’s casket was placed on the Lincoln Catafalque, which first supported President Abraham Lincoln's casket in the U.S. Capitol after his assassination in 1865.
"It is with deep sympathy to the Ginsburg family that I have the high honor to welcome Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to lie in state in the Capitol of the United States," Pelosi said in brief opening remarks.
Many female lawmakers were in attendance, including vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris. Elizabeth Salas, the late justice's housekeeper, was seated near Biden.
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The bipartisan, masked group honoring Ginsburg's 27 years on the high court and her legacy as a pioneer for gender equality remained safely distanced in the approximately 100 seats.But the two highest ranking Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, did not attend.
"Justice Ginsburg embodied justice, brilliance and goodness," Pelosi said in a statement Friday. "Her passing is an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who strive to build a better future for our children."
In a nod to Ginsburg's passion for opera, American soprano Denyce Graves – a friend whom the justice saw perform many times – sang "Deep River" and "American Anthem" before lawmakers and other guests filed past her casket in small groups to say their goodbyes.
“America, America, I gave my best to you,” Graves belted out in the marbled hall. .
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, whose husband clerked for Ginsburg, offered a moving reflection on Ginsburg’s life and legacy.
“Pursuing justice took resilience, persistence, a commitment to never stop,” Holtzblatt said. “As a lawyer she won equality for women and men, not in one swift victory, but brick by brick case by case.”
The dissents Ginsburg became so famous for “were not cries of defeat,” Holtzblatt said. “They were blueprints for the future.”
The rabbi urged Ginsburg’s family, friends and fans to carry on her work.
“Today we stand in sorrow. And tomorrow, we the people must carry on Justice Ginsburg's legacy,” she said. “She was our prophet, our North Star, our strength for so very long. Now she must be permitted to rest.”
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Ginsburg’s family and friends were the first to say goodbye. All wearing black, they gathered around her casket, some with their arms wrapped around one another and rubbing one another’s shoulders in support.
Pelosi and Schumer stood motionless at the base of the casket, and the speaker made the sign of the cross before motioning to other lawmakers to approach.
A group of women came first, standing around her casket in a circle, 15 in all. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., had her hands clasped. Some touched Ginsburg's casket lightly. A stream of male lawmakers followed to bid her farewell. Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., made the sign of the cross and then kissed his hands in a goodbye.
In one light and loving moment, Ginsburg’s athletic trainer, Bryant Johnson – in a mask, suit and tie – stopped alone in front of her casket, got down into a plank and did three push ups.
Among of the last mourners to file by the justice's casket were Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving. The Pentagon entourage encircled her casket and held their hands clasped in front of them, heads bowed for several minutes.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. EST, more than 40 female lawmakers lined the steps of the Capitol as Ginsburg's casket was carried out in near silence, save the “ready, step” refrain of the honor guard. Lawmakers' aides wiped their eyes and sniffled as the late justice's casket was placed inside a black hearse amid a light scattering of raindrops.
“I thought it was perfect. Perfect,” Schumer said of the ceremony.
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Ginsburg will be buried in a private ceremony next week at Arlington National Cemetery, where Ginsburg's late husband Martin was buried in 2010.
Friday's event was not open to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that did not sway people from gathering outside.
Crystal Reese, 35, who is currently active duty and stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, said she came out Friday because Ginsburg made it possible for her to have a job in the military “and not be questioned" about whether she belongs.
Reese said that Ginsburg’s death has changed what the 2020 election means for her. This past Sunday, Reese, who is voting for Biden, said she decided she’s going to fly to her home state of Colorado to cast her ballot in the November election because of doubts in the mail-in voting system.
Emily Bermudez, 21, and Lindsey McKula, 21, both came down from Villanova University outside Philadelphia to pay their respects. Bermudez, who is from New Jersey, said she’s considering going to law school and wanted to thank Ginsburg for her work.
“I think I owe her the thank you to say, 'I've never had to be in a room and have someone asked me why I'm there,'” she said. “It's a privilege that I take for granted every day.”
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“I'm a young professional and I'm single and I don't have kids at 30, and I can do things like this because Ruth has fought for opportunities like I have,” said Sarah David, 30, who flew from Buffalo, New York, on Thursday because she “thought it was important to pay my respects in person.”
Nathan Morin, 30, and his co-worker Tara Mitchell, drove seven and a half hours from Boston to come to the Capitol to honor Ginsburg.
Morin said he believes that her being the first woman and first Jewish person to lay in state is “an honor that sort of rivals her life.”
“It's a really powerful move,” he said.
At 9:25 a.m. EST, as Ginsburg’s casket came down East Capitol Street toward the Capitol, Deb Collins, 64, broke into tears. She had driven from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to pay her respects.
“Here she comes now,” Collins said. “Oh my god.”
Thirty-four men have received the honor of lying in state at the Capitol since it was initially bestowed on Henry Clay in 1852. Civil rights icon Rosa Parks was lain in "honor" at the Capitol Rotunda in 2005, but Ginsburg is the first woman to lie in state.
The last person to be given the honor was Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who died in July. Most of those who have lain in state were presidents, prominent members of Congress and military leaders. The only other Supreme Court justice to lie in state was William Howard Taft, who served as chief justice after his term as president.
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The ceremony at the U.S. Capitol follows two days of Ginsburg lying in repose across the street at the Supreme Court, where mourners lined up for blocks to say goodbye to the liberal icon who died last week after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Ginsburg's family, close friends, more than 100 former law clerks and colleagues on the high court gathered on Wednesday as her coffin was carried up the stairs to the Supreme Court’s Great Hall, just outside the courtroom where she served for nearly three decades.
On Thursday, lines extended for blocks as people waited to see Ginsburg's casket, perched atop the Supreme Court's steps, and lament her passing.
President Donald Trump was among those to pay his respects Thursday, a visit that prompted the quiet, sorrowful crowd to erupt in boos and chants.
"Vote him out!" some mourners called out, while others jeered "Honor her wish!" as Trump and first lady Melania Trump made their way to Ginsburg's casket, both wearing black masks. The president and first lady stood expressionless at the late justice's casket for less than a minute before heading back to the presidential motorcade.
Ginsburg's last wish was that the next president fill her vacancy. But Trump plans to announce his choice to succeed Ginsburg on Saturday at the White House.
In the same building where she was honored Friday, a partisan fight is brewing over filling her seat on the court, which could happen before the November election. Senate Republicans aim to move quickly to confirm Trump's nominee.
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History maker:Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to lie in state at US Capitol Friday after two days at Supreme Court
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