Andrew Chung, Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Justice Stephen Breyer was present on Wednesday at the last scheduled oral argument in his 28-year-long career as a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He also heard Chief Justice John Roberts’ emotional tribute towards the end.

Roberts said that the oral argument he had just completed is the final the court will hear from Justice Breyer at the bench, his voice shaking.

Roberts stated that for 28 years, this was his place to make profound, moving remarks, ask challenging questions, and entertain with silly hypotheses.

Breyer was well-known for asking attorneys to argue cases in front of him questions involving bizarre hypothetical situations as he worked through complicated legal issues.

Roberts stated, “This sitting alone brought us ‘radioactive mushrooms’ and ‘John The Tiger man,” eliciting laughter among those present in the courtroom. It is still closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A case regarding Native American tribal authority within Oklahoma was one of the final cases on the court’s 9-month term. The hearing lasted approximately two hours.

Breyer (83 years old) is one of nine justices who announced in January his intention to retire as the court enters its summer recess. This usually occurs at the end June, after the court has issued all pending rulings.

Roberts indicated that a letter exchange between Breyer, the court and Breyer to celebrate his retirement would be read out and recorded.

Roberts stated, “For now, we leave the courtroom in deep appreciation for sharing this bench together.”

In 1994, Democratic President Bill Clinton appointed Breyer to the lifetime position. Breyer was a key figure in establishing abortion rights, healthcare access and LGBT rights. He also challenged the constitutionality and validity of the death penalty. His dissent often led to him being on the wrong side of a court moving ever more rightward.

Senator Joe Biden confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s replacement as President, which was approved by the Senate on April 7. She will now be the nation’s first Black woman on its highest court.

Breyer did not offer any farewell remarks to his colleagues on Wednesday. Breyer said that America’s future is at the hands of its young citizens in his Jan. 27 speech to the White House, when his retirement announcement was made.

This country is complex. It is home to more than 325 million people. My mother would say to me, “It’s all races, it’s all religions.” She would add, “And it’s all possible points of view.”