Document: 507 U.S. 511 113 S.Ct. 1562 123 L.Ed.2d 229 Thomas F. CONROY, Petitionerv.Walter ANISKOFF, Jr., et al. No. 91-1353. Argued Jan. 11, 1993. Decided March 31, Syllabus * When petitioner Conroy, an officer in the United States Army, failed to pay local real estate taxes on property he owned Danforth, Maine, town acquired and sold it. In his suit against property's purchasers, Conroy claimed that § 525 of Soldiers' Sailors' Civil Relief Act 1940—which provides "period military service" shall not "be included computing any period . provided by law for redemption or forfeited enforce obligation, tax, assessment"—tolled while was service, federal therefore prevented from acquiring good title property. The Maine District Court rejected claim, holding could be tolled unless taxpayer show service resulted hardship excusing timely legal action, it would absurd illogical toll limitations periods career personnel who had been handicapped their status. State Supreme Judicial affirmed. Held: A member Armed Services need prejudiced ability redeem before can qualify statutory suspension time. command is unambiguous, unequivocal, unlimited. There no support respondents' argument when read context entire statute, implicitly conditions its protection a demonstration prejudice resulting service. statute's complete legislative history confirms congressional intent protect all active duty, just those whose lives have temporarily disrupted addition, comprehensive character indicates Congress requirement whenever considered appropriate do so, omission such deliberate. Finally, both this carefully reticulated Court's interpreting it, refute literal construction so intended Pp. ____. 599 A.2d 426 (Me.1991), reversed. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion Court, which REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, SOUTER, JJ., joined, but n. 12 THOMAS, joined. SCALIA, filed concurring judgment. Robert H. Klonoff, Washington, D.C., petitioner. John Manning U.S., as amicus curiae special leave Court. Kevin M. Cuddy, Bangor, ME, respondents. Justice STEVENS Court.* 1 1940, 54 Stat. 1178, amended, 50 U.S.C.App. 501 seq. (Act), suspends various civil liabilities persons At issue case provision assessment."1 question 2 Petitioner Army. He duty continuously 1966 until time trial. 1973 purchased parcel vacant land Maine. paid 10 years, 1984, 1985, 1986 taxes.2 1986, following procedures authorize acquire tax-delinquent estate, property.3 3 1987 brought two purchasers. even though State's followed. trial court claim. unreported opinion, noted some courts construed literally, elected follow line decisions refused "military action."4 It agreed with "absurd illogical" "handicapped status."5 affirmed equally divided court.6 We granted certiorari resolve conflict interpretation 525. 505 ----, 112 2989, 120 867 (1992). II 4 states "shall included" computation "any now hereafter ." Respondents dispute plain meaning texte. Rather, they argue They make three points argument: reveals provide only service; other provisions are expressly conditioned showing prejudice; produces results. Neither separately nor combination these justify departure unambiguous text. 5 correctly describe immediate cause enactment year our entry into World War II. stated purpose "expedite national defense under emergent threatening peace security States. 510. That undoubtedly contemplated imposed suddenly drafted emergency.7 emergency, particular interest easing sudden transfers civilian status, however, justifies conclusion did intend members Forces, including personnel, receive Act's protections. Indeed, because extended life indefinitely 1948,8 well after end II, language provides. 6 also remind us "follow cardinal rule statute whole, see Massachusetts v. Morash, 490 107, 115, 109 1668, 1673, 104 98 (1989), since language, not, depends context." King St. Vincent's Hospital, 502 570, 574, 116 578 (1991). But King, actually supports meant what says. Several condition offer adversely affected assert right. To choose one many examples, 532(2) authorizes stay enforcement secured obligations "the defendant comply terms obligation materially reason service."9 7 respects 1940 re-enactment I legislation had, turn, modeled several adopted during War. See Boone Lightner, 319 561, 565-569, 63 1223, 1226-1228, 87 L.Ed. 1587 (1943). emphasized segregated arrangement Ebert Poston, 266 548, 554, 45 188, 190, 69 435 (1925), consequences requiring Boone, supra. Since we presume familiar cases,10 assume decision interpret apply each re-established whole then Boone's analysis permanently 1948. 8 Legislative assumption. 1918 Act, has expressed understanding absolute exemptions might save money at cost injuring own credit, family's domestic economy;11 presumably required seemed necessary confer genuine benefit. By distinguishing sharply between types protections, unquestionably ways either type affect debtors creditors. 9 long consistent structure leads conclude that—just suggests—Congress made deliberate policy judgment placing higher value firmly protecting member's rights than occasionally burdening tax collection process. Given limited number situations precisely structured offers protection, cannot say found straight-forward application words illogical.12 If been—or prove —as unjust respondents contend, confident corrected injustice—or will future. 11 ordered. 13 begins observation: "The unlimited." Ante, my view, discussion point where remainder should ended. Instead, feels compelled demonstrate consonant history, dating back 1917—a full quarter century enacted. merely waste research ink; false disruptive lesson law. says bar "unambiguous [and] unequivocal" never dispositive; that, penalty malpractice liability, oracles far dimmy past, must always consulted. This undermines clarity law, condemns litigants (who, unlike us, out pockets) subsidizing historical lawyers. 14 greatest defect illegitimacy. governed laws, intentions legislators. As said 1844: passed majority houses, mode spoken act itself. Aldridge Williams, How. 9, 24, 469 (emphasis added). least defects indeterminacy. were search interpretive technique more likely confuse clarify, hardly find promising candidate history. And present nicely proves point. 15 Judge Harold Leventhal used use equivalent entering crowded cocktail party looking over heads guests one's friends. may pursue metaphor: 205 Act1 contains variety diverse personages, selected few whom—its "friends"—the introduced result. there faces crowd, most which, think, set today's 16 limit exposition four statutes: 17 1. (1918 Act), 40 440; 18 2. (1940 1178; 19 3. Amendments 1942 (1942 Amendments), 56 769; 20 4. Selective Service 1948, 62 604. 21 That, course, "complete history" relevant provision. Compare ante, One problems inherently open-ended. case, example, go further examine War-era relief Acts, fact forth appendix House Report Appendix A, H.R.Rep. 181, 65th Cong., 1st Sess., 18-32 (1917) (hereinafter 1917 Report). Or extend abroad consider foreign statutes mentioned same Report. id., 4, 13-14 (discussing English French enactments). Those additional questionable relevance, too neither contained governing periods. Nevertheless, inquiry simple scope chosen 22 appears first soldiers' Act. 55 Cong.Rec. 7787 (1917). intended2 serve vital purpose—providing "protection men service"—as state served 3; (Appendix A) (setting text numerous Acts era). intended, differ "in material respects." (statement Rep. Webb). being produce disposition "uniform throughout Nation." second difference relevance ruling today: 23 next laws this, think you chief excellence bill propose: Instead considering arbitrary, inelastic, inflexible, discretion dealing even-handed justice creditor soldier, taking consideration soldier called country's cause, rests largely, cases entirely, breast judge tries case." Id., Webb).3 24 comment dismissed passing remark insignificant Member, speaker Chairman Judiciary Committee, committee reported floor. Moreover, remarks echoed Report, barely page stated: "We soon, emphatically, inflexible claims service." depart "arbitrary rigid protection" ibid., give "who full," clear, therefore, create flexible rules permit denial hardship. 25 expired six months First 603, 449. Nation prepared coming participation Second Both Senate Reports described being, substance, identical [1918 Act]." 3001, 76th 3d (1940); S.Rep. 2109, 76 (1940). 565, 1226, (1943), acknowledged "a substantial reenactment" looked indications respect Relying very heart Act" "judicial instead undiscriminating proceedings." Ibid. 26 Although mentions fact, clear enactments, mention periods.4 held 302, foreclosures, conferred power period. overturned Amendments, central part curiously fails discuss. Section amendments rewrote place current form, directly addresses 770-771; ____, version 205). crucial (if believes history) whether amendment "heart conferring judicial discretion—or rather unqualified right redemption. amended 205, "[t]he running redeemed sale assessment likewise occurs [1942 Amendments]." 2198, 77th 2d 3-4 (1942); 1558, (1942) "[a]lthough tolling within spirit letter thereof" (citing ). supra, 4; These statements surely indicate intention redemptions similar already limitations—which, basis described, discretionary rigid. existence authority suspend suggested floor debates. Responding questions, Representative Sparkman (who submitted behalf Committee Military Affairs) "pertains armed forces," man "serving forces got entitled benefits bill." 88 5364, 5365 (1942). response last comment, another representative inquired "[t]his take care 5365. answered affirmatively. confirmed abandon nature scheme: "With reference matters tried lodging equity require." finally, later debates, Brooks remedy service: feel normal contracted prior induction suspended practicable tour protected default due inability caused reduction income 5369. 27 final component treat extension misconstrues Congress's respects. First, asserts "because provides." true enough over; draft not. citizens. appear "life "indefinitely," says, duration draft. 1881, 80th (1948) (extension "continu[e] inducted act"). "to serving pursuant act." 1268, Career "pursuant to" excepted requirement. 1948 6(a), 609. focus upon draftees, replicates Amendments. former enacted heels Training 885, explanation "relief training [the 1940]." 86 10292 (1940) Overton) debate "hundreds thousands, millions, called" admonished colleagues "keep uppermost your mind times primary boy 5364 words, extension, like itself suggests be. 28 errs mistaking probable effect presumed awareness earlier opinions Boone. "is liberally obliged drop affairs up burdens nation," 575, S.Ct., 1231 added), vested insure immunities put "unworthy use," proceedings," 1226. Awareness vindicate prejudice. argues, aware recognized "carefully provisions" convention precise reasoning (as opposed holding) opinions; goes much knew, expected continue follow, (Ebert ) repudiated years earlier. event, seeks establish arrangement" adds little, if anything, direct reliance statute. 29 After reading above result reached today, faithful betrays intent. Many done so. am aware, every light See, addition below, Pannell Continental Can Co., 554 F.2d 216, 224-225 (CA5 1977); Bailey Barranca, 83 N.M. 90, 94-95, 488 P.2d 725, 729-730 (1971); Zagorski, 207 So.2d 61, 66-67 (Fla.App.1968). scholarly commentary addressing concludes: "An examination shows prevailing section [i.e., interpretation] intent." Folk, Tolling Statutes Limitations 102 Mil.L.Rev. 157, 168 (1983). Government itself, successfully urged position adopted, recently believed, contrary. Townsend Secretary Air Force, 90-1168, 1991 WL 232063, *2-3, U.S.App. LEXIS 26578, *5-*7 (CA4, Nov. 12, 1991); Brief Amicus Curiae Pet. Cert. 17, (noting Government's requires prejudice); Bickford States, 656 636, 640, 228 Ct.Cl. 321 (1981) ("The argues does mean evinces Congress' applicability [§ 205] servicemen engaged battle otherwise asserting claims"). 30 confess personally investigated history—or portion relates listed above. excerpts examined quoted unearthed hapless clerk whom assigned task. Justices have, aggregate, clerks I, quite possible unleashed enterprise discover, materials earlier, friendly holding. Whether makes me—and evidently gives lipservice trouble discuss foregoing others persuasive. be, except lipservice. entirely mistake correct pretend about law), lest impose practicing clients ourselves seriously. THOMAS joins footnote opinion. presented syllabus constitutes Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. presently reads follows: regulation, order bringing action proceeding court, board, bureau, commission, department, agency government person heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, privilege institute accrued date [Oct. 6, 1942] assessment." technical bearing decide. 105 39. testified bills letters asking town. Under taxing lien properly assessed paid. remain unpaid days notice demand payment sent owner, collector record certificate mortgage. 18-month recover paying overdue plus costs. Me.Rev.Stat.Ann., Tit. 36, §§ 552, 942, 943 (1990). stipulated followed town's perfected, petitioner's objection based different 33. particularly relied 216 725 61 Pet 34. (Me.1992). emphasize statement purposes refers "temporary proceedings transactions." 8, quoting length lasts "temporary," applies short enlistment career. 623, applicable States" repealed terminated subsequent Congress." Similar qualifications 520(4) (applying reopening judgments absent member); 521 523 (providing stays proceedings, attachments garnishments); 526 (regulating rates incurred service); 530(3) (covering eviction distress proceedings); 531(3) (involving termination installment contracts); 535(1) assignment insurance coverage); 535(2) (limiting liens storage personal property). Cannon University Chicago, 441 677, 696-697, 99 1946, 1957-1958, 60 560 (1979). suits part: teaches arbitrary mistaken kindness unnecessary. total war defeats purpose. credit importance peace, prohibition enforcing family utterly cut off. No them credit." 2-3 Congressman Webb, "Manifestly, undertake pass providing ever sue bring country, upset business largely parts country. place, unfair soldier. disturb soldier's probably deny debts amply able impair meet obligation." 566, 567, 568, 1227-1228, 1229, judgment, Scalia respondent's ink," law." Post, His "hapless clerk," post, deal evidence judges. point: reasonable jurisprudence confines court's "law passed," wholly unconcerned legislators," manifestly unintended profoundly unwise consequences. Respondent argued case. disagree. Scalia, apparently willing nevertheless written fully convinced Member enacting Congress, President signed Again, Wisconsin Public Intervenor Mortier, 111 2476, 2484-2485, 115 532 "§ 525," corresponds unofficial codification Code, convenient actual number—"§ 205" —in discussing "Congress intended," here excursus speaking historians speak, attributing Members Houses (or House), (or, sign question, two-thirds Congress) views personage, citation sentence, Representatives. assumed—by sort disbelief—that President) them; perhaps Constitution —that delegated personage personages mean. statement, conclusively recorded Congressional Record made. assumption course accord reality. 117 36506-36507 (1971) (supposed shown internal delivered). provided: "That 443. identical, word "That" beginning omitted.

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