[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2005] [Pages 65-66] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES United States Supreme Court Building One First Street NE., Washington, DC 20543 Phone, 202-479-3000. Internet, www.supremecourtus.gov. Members: Chief Justice of the United States William H. Rehnquist Associate Justices John Paul Stevens, Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, David H. Souter, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer Officers: Administrative Assistant to the Sally M. Rider Chief Justice Clerk William K. Suter Court Counsel Scott S. Harris Curator Catherine E. Fitts Director of Budget and Personnel Cyril A. Donnelly Director of Data Systems Donna Clement Librarian Judith Gaskell Marshal Pamela Talkin Public Information Officer Kathleen L. Arberg Reporter of Decisions Frank D. Wagner ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article III, section 1, of the Constitution of the United States provides that ``[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.'' The Supreme Court of the United States was created in accordance with this provision and by authority of the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789 (1 Stat. 73). It was organized on February 2, 1790. Article III, section 2 of the Constitution defines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is comprised of the Chief Justice of the United States and such number of Associate Justices as may be fixed by Congress, which is currently fixed at eight (28 U.S.C. 1). The President nominates the Justices with the advice and consent of the Senate. Article III, section 1, of the Constitution further provides that ``[t]he Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.'' Court officers assist the Court in the performance of its functions. They [[Page 66]] include the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, the Clerk, the Reporter of Decisions, the Librarian, the Marshal, the Director of Budget and Personnel, the Court Counsel, the Curator, the Director of Data Systems, and the Public Information Officer. Appellate Jurisdiction Appellate jurisdiction has been conferred upon the Supreme Court by various statutes under the authority given Congress by the Constitution. The basic statute effective at this time in conferring and controlling jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be found in 28 U.S.C. 1251, 1253, 1254, 1257-1259, and various special statutes. Congress has no authority to change the original jurisdiction of this Court. Rulemaking Power Congress has from time to time conferred upon the Supreme Court power to prescribe rules of procedure to be followed by the lower courts of the United States. Court Term The term of the Court begins on the first Monday in October and lasts until the first Monday in October of the next year. Approximately 8,000 cases are filed with the Court in the course of a term, and some 1,000 applications of various kinds are filed each year that can be acted upon by a single Justice. Access to Facilities The Supreme Court is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Unless the Court or Chief Justice orders otherwise, the Clerk's office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal legal holidays. The library is open to members of the bar of the Court, attorneys for the various Federal departments and agencies, and Members of Congress. For further information concerning the Supreme Court, contact the Public Information Office, United States Supreme Court Building, One First Street NE., Washington, DC 20543. Phone, 202-479-3211. Internet, www.supremecourtus.gov.