[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO JOHN R. O'CONNOR

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
newest U.S. Marshal for the District of Connecticut, John R. O'Connor.
  On Monday, John O'Connor fulfilled a uniquely American Dream when he 
was sworn in as U.S. Marshal by U.S. District Court Judge Jose 
Cabranes. That dream was born in the hearts of people like Susanne 
Reynolds O'Connor, John's mother, who came to America from Ireland in 
search of a better life for her children. Susanne and John P. O'Connor, 
John's father, instilled in him a great respect for this country and 
its laws and people. As a result, John O'Connor's life has been devoted 
to public service.
  For 27 years, John O'Connor served with distinction in the New Haven 
Police Department holding the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain 
and commanding officer of the patrol, detective and internal affairs 
divisions. During this time, he received over 20 commendations from the 
board of police commissioners for outstanding police work. John 
O'Connor's exemplary service has also been recognized by the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police.
  Prior to his work as a police officer, John O'Connor served our 
country as a member of the U.S. Army and in the Connecticut National 
Guard Active Reserve. And throughout his life, John has served his 
community in ways above and beyond the call of duty, spending countless 
hours of his spare time working with organizations devoted to the 
betterment of young people. He helped organize the Dixwell Community 
Basketball Tournament, served on the boards of the New Haven Boys and 
Girls Club and St. Mary's Girls High School, and chaired the New Haven 
Register Basketball Classic, which brought together urban and suburban 
teams for sport as well as conferences on college preparation and the 
dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
  John O'Connor, a resident of West Haven, CN, has also been an active 
participant in events celebrating his Irish heritage. He served as 
grand marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade, and 
was recognized by the West Haven Irish-American Club as man of the 
year.
  His years of experience, leadership and public service will serve 
John O'Connor and our State well as he exercises his duties as U.S. 
Marshal. As someone who has known John and his good works for many 
years, I was honored to join with my distinguished colleague, Senator 
Christopher J. Dodd, in recommending his name to President Bill Clinton 
last year, and I was especially grateful that the President agreed with 
our recommendation and formally nominate John O'Connor for U.S. 
Marshal.
  Mr. President, I rise to salute John O'Connor and wish him well in 
the performance of his new duties. I also wish to recognize John's 
family, including his wife, Barbara Abate O'Connor; his daughters, 
Debbie and Lisa; his sisters, Susanne Bowery and her husband Joseph, 
and Joan Weber and her husband Paul; his brother, Frank O'Connor and 
his wife Lynn; and his many nieces and nephews. All of us are proud of 
John O'Connor and what he has accomplished.

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