Texas leaders speak out on Sandra Day O’Connor

TEXAS —  The country lost a trailblazer on Friday. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, died. She was 93.

Born in El Paso, Texas, on March 26, 1930, her ties to the Lone Star State were strong throughout her remarkable career.

A moderate conservative, she was appointed to court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served until 2006.

She attended Austin High School in El Paso, later graduating from Stanford Law School.

Several Texas leaders took to social media on Friday to eulogize her.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who argued a case before the Supreme Court when he was the state’s attorney general, called her “an American trailblazer and inspiration.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called her a “trailblazer & a patriot.”

Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote the following:

“I’m so saddened to hear about the passing of Supreme Court Justice and El Pasoan, Sandra Day O’Connor. Justice O’Connor’s trail-blazing legacy as the first woman to serve on our nation’s highest court will live on in the minds of women and girls across our nation.”

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser issued the following statement:

“Justice O’Connor was El Paso’s daughter – attending Radford School for Girls and Austin High School – and a trailblazer in this country. We will always remember her, and now we will cherish her incredible legacy. May she rest in peace.”

Former President George W. Bush called O’Connor “a pioneer who lived by the code of the west.”

“Laura and I are saddened by the passing of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. It was fitting that Sandra became the first female appointed to our highest court, because she was a pioneer who lived by the code of the west.

“She was determined and honest, modest and considerate, dependable and self-reliant. She was also fun and funny, with a wonderful sense of humor. Justice O’Connor was thorough and thoughtful in her opinions, and Laura and I are grateful for her principled service. We send our condolences to her family and friends.”