AN ICON TO THE END
RBG is 1st woman to lie in state at Capitol
Even in death, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg continued to make history on Friday, becoming the first woman to lie in state in the US Capitol.
Ginsburg, who died on Sept. 18 at 87, was also the first Jew to receive the honor, which capped days of commemoration of her life.
An honor guard carried the feminist icon’s flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps just before 9 a.m. and into the Statuary Hall, where it rested on a catafalque built for President Abraham Lincoln.
Hundreds of high-profile mourners paid their respects, including Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, as well as his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris.
Bryant Johnson, Ginsburg’s personal trainer of two decades, paid a personal tribute — doing three pushups before the casket.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were on hand to welcome Ginsburg’s casket as it arrived from the Supreme Court.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy were absent. Rep. Steve Scalise, the GOP whip, was in attendance.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were the only administration members present.
In a private ceremony, the mezzo soprano Denyce Graves sang in honor of the opera-loving Ginsburg. Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt delivered a eulogy.
“All of the days of her life she pursued justice, even in illness,” she said. “Now she must be laid to rest after toiling so hard for the rest of us.”
The honor of lying in state has been bestowed on 37 other people, including 12 presidents.
Ginsburg will be buried next week in Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband, Martin.