The Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University hosted its sixth annual Scalia Forum on February 13, 2024. The Scalia Forum is an annual event to preserve the legacy of Justice Antonin Scalia—it honors his jurisprudence and scholarship through thoughtful commentary on the enduring influence of his judicial philosophy.

This Issue of the George Mason Law Review contains an adaptation of both the keynote address given by The Honorable Mitch McConnell and the speech presented by The Honorable Mike Johnson. We thank both Leader McConnell and Speaker Johnson for their remarks, and for allowing us to publish them in the flagship journal of the law school bearing Justice Scalia’s name.

*  *  *

Justice Scalia was a titan of the law—fiercely principled, intellectually fearless, and devoted to the Constitution as it was written. His legacy is not merely one of legal decisions but of a transformed approach to judging itself. During his tenure on the Supreme Court, he championed a judicial philosophy that sought to anchor the Constitution and statutory law in their original public meaning, resisting the tides of judicial activism and the temptation to shape the law to fit contemporary preferences.

His powerful writing, biting wit, and deep commitment to principle inspired generations of legal scholars, judges, and practitioners. His judicial philosophy, once considered a minority view, has now become a dominant framework in constitutional interpretation, with judges and Justices continuing to carry his torch.

*  *  *

“If you’re going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you’re not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them all the time, you’re probably doing something wrong.”

“The Constitution is not a living organism. It is a legal document, and it says what it says and doesn’t say what it doesn’t say.”

*  *  *

On behalf of the George Mason Law Review, I am proud to honor Justice Scalia’s legacy through this publication. We hope you enjoy the heartfelt remarks by Leader McConnell and Speaker Johnson.

Peter A. Tucker

Editor-in-Chief