[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATING THOMAS F. KEYES, JR., ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 80TH 
                                BIRTHDAY

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 1995
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 15, I have the 
pleasure of joining one of Connecticut's most well-known and respected 
citizens, Thomas F. Keyes, Jr., for the celebration of his 80th 
birthday. A long-time resident of New Haven, Mr. Keyes has earned the 
admiration of his community for his career as a distinguished judge, 
committed public servant, and a premier trial attorney. Thomas Keyes is 
a man who lives life to the fullest extent. He is a walking 
encyclopedia of over 50 years of spectacular history which he recounts 
on Saturday mornings over bagels and coffee at the Bagel Connection on 
Grove Street in New Haven. The Saturday morning regulars, like New 
Haven Fire Chief Smith, Judge Reynolds, and Judge Flannigan, consider 
him one of the best storytellers in town.
  Tom was born and raised in New Haven. In 1933, he graduated from 
Hillside High School. He went to college at Yale and graduated from 
Yale Law School in 1940. During World War II, he served in the Army, 
and was stationed in Presque Isle, ME. Tom managed to come home for the 
weekends to New Haven on an almost regular basis. He went into public 
service like his father, Thomas Keyes, Sr., who was the New Haven 
Registrar of Voters for over 30 years. During the 1950's Tom junior 
spearheaded the effort to provide legal services for the poor as 
director of legal services in New Haven. In 1965, he was appointed by 
the mayor of New Haven as the city's corporation counsel where he 
served for 9 years. Tom was elected a probate judge of New Haven in 
1974, and remained probate judge for 11 years until he was succeeded by 
his son John ``Jack'' Keyes. Now living in Madison, Tom has time to 
pursue golf and watch Yale football.
  Tom Keyes and his deceased wife Josephine have five children. Thomas 
Keyes III is a professor at Boston University, John Keyes is the New 
Haven probate judge, Bernadette Keyes is a practicing lawyer, Joan is a 
writer, and Julie has her own crafts and ceramics business. The DeLauro 
and Keyes family have been very close for many years. My mother worked 
for Judge Keyes when he was a New Haven probate judge and now works for 
his successor, and son.
  I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Judge Thomas F. 
Keyes, Jr., on the celebration of his 80th birthday. It is an honor to 
join in this celebration. I wish a happy birthday to a model citizen 
and a long-time family friend.


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