Reaction to Justice Blackmun's death came from national leaders as well as the general public. The following is a sampling of some of their thoughts:

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist: "He will be missed by his friends throughout the building, from his breakfast gatherings in the cafeteria every morning to his continuing association with his colleagues after he had retired."

Associate Justice John Paul Stevens: "Intelligence, kindness, diligence, warmth, scholarship, grace and an unusual concern about the impact of judicial decisions on real people are among the fine qualities that shaped his important contributions to the work of the court."

Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: "He was a brilliant, meticulous and thoughtful man."

Associate Justice Antonin Scalia: "No one was more dedicated to the rule of law, or more painstaking in the execution of his responsibilities on this court. He was a good man and a good justice, deserving of the respect of all Americans."

Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy: "He gave unyielding devotion to the court, to its scholarly work and to the rule of law."

Associate Justice David H. Souter: "He was a forceful judge, a good man and an affectionate friend."

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas: "I was fortunate to sit with (him) during my first years on the court. He was always the consummate professional who conducted himself with great dignity."

Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "We did not always agree and we approached oral argument differently, but he was to me a model of the caring justice for his integrity, his high sense of justice, his exemplification of decency, modesty and civility."

Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer: "Harry Blackmun's continuous concern for ordinary citizens and for the law's impact upon their lives made him a great and human justice. We will miss him enormously."

--Compiled from Wire Reports

President Clinton: I have some remarks to make, but I hope that you will forgive me if I mention a few words about a great American citizen who deeply loved the natural beauty of his native Minnesota. Justice Harry Blackmun died this morning, at the age of 90. In 24 years on the Supreme Court, he served with compassion, distinction and honor. Every decision and every dissent was firmly grounded in the Constitution he revered, and his uncanny feel for the human element that lies just beneath the surface of all serious legal argument.

You can see his mind and heart at work in the landmark decision he wrote protecting women's rights to reproductive freedom, and in his decisions to make the promise of civil rights actually come alive in the daily existence of the American people.

Hillary and I were deeply privileged to know Justice Blackmun and his wonderful wife of 58 years, Dottie, for quite a long while. I saw up close Harry Blackmun's intense passion -- his passion for the welfare of the American people, for defending our liberties and our institutions, for moving us forward together. We send our respect and our prayers to Dottie and to his three daughters.

To the millions of Americans whose voices he heard and whose rights he defended, to the countless numbers of us who knew and loved him, Harry Blackmun's life embodied the admonition of the prophet, Michael: He did justice, and he loved mercy. And now, he walks humbly with his God. Thank you very much.

Philip S. Anderson, President, American Bar Association: Even before Justice Blackmun was appointed to the Supreme Court, those of us who appeared before him knew him as an intellectual leader of the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, a man of towering integrity. Those qualities were bound together with courage and absolute commitment to the Constitution and to the rule of law in service to our nation.

Gloria Feldt, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: With the death of Justice Harry Blackmun, America has lost a great humanitarian -- a true 20th century hero who will be remembered well into the next millennium.

Although Justice Blackmun's distinguished career had far greater impact than one decision alone, it is Roe v. Wade -- the landmark 1973 ruling that recognized the right of American women to choose abortion -- that will be indelibly associated with his name. Roe v. Wade, with its immeasurable positive consequences for the lives and health of women -- and for the children they have or will eventually bear -- is surely a worthy legacy for any judge.

Justice Blackmun's tenure on the court demonstrated a profound concern or the human consequences of legal decisions. The Roe v. Wade opinion is truly the product of real-life experiences, respect and appreciation for the medical profession, and an abiding concern for women. Justice Blackmun once pleaded with other justices to remember, "there is another world 'out there,' a world inhabited by the poor, the powerless, and the oppressed."

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor-Elect Doreen S. Davis: His thoroughness, decency, courage and integrity were unquestioned. His life reminds us that good, honest judges are on the front lines every day at every level. They make the tough decisions that define fairness and justice in our complex and often contentious society. We can do no greater honor to the memory of Justice Blackmun than to continue to steadfastly defend the independence of our judiciary. I'm sure that's what Justice Blackmun would want us to do and that's what we intend to do.