[cinggooft]

It's official:

Stevens 'leaves at the top of his game,' Obama says By the CNN Wire Staff
April 9, 2010 3:44 p.m. EDT

Washington (CNN) -- Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens said Friday he will retire this year, giving President Obama another opportunity to shape the nation's highest court.

Stevens, who turns 90 on April 20 and has served nearly 35 years on the court, announced his resignation in a brief letter delivered to the White House at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Obama lauded the retiring justice Friday afternoon and said he will move quickly to fill the vacancy before the court reconvenes in October.

"He turns 90 this month, but he leaves at the top of his game," the president said from the White House. "His leadership will be sorely missed."

Stevens referred to the timing of his resignation in his letter to Obama.

"My dear Mr. President," Stevens wrote. "Having concluded that it would be in the best interests of the court to have my successor appointed and confirmed well in advance of the commencement of the court's next term, I shall retire from regular active service as an associate justice ... effective the next day after the court rises for the summer recess this year."

White House counsel Bob Bauer discussed Stevens' retirement by telephone Friday morning with Obama, who was returning from Europe aboard Air Force One.

Stevens was at a second home Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a court official said.

Speculation over Stevens had increased after he confirmed last fall he hired one law clerk for the next court term, which begins in October. Sitting justices can hire four law clerks, while retired members get only one.

Stevens also was not on the bench for a brief public session Monday; the court will hold its next public session in two weeks.

Rest of story: http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/09/...ex.html?hpt=T1