Burger Hospitalized; Has Mild Pneumonia
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WASHINGTON — Retired Chief Justice Warren E. Burger has been hospitalized, suffering from dehydration, exhaustion and a mild touch of pneumonia, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said Monday.
Burger, 81, was admitted to Sibley Memorial Hospital on Christmas morning, spokeswoman Toni House said.
House said Burger, the 15th chief justice, expects to be released from the hospital late today or Wednesday.
“I talked to him, and he seems to be in good spirits,” House said. “He describes his illness as a rare new disease--bicentennial exhaustion.”
Burger has been chairman of the Constitutional Bicentennial Commission since retiring in 1986 as chief justice after 17 years on the high court.
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