[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMENDATION FOR THE HONORABLE EDWARD J. BLAKE

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 1996

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable 
Edward J. Blake, who is retiring from the Court of Common Pleas on 
January 31, 1996.
  Judge Blake was born in Philadelphia on May 18, 1926, to Philip and 
Agnes Blake, and he was graduated from Saint Joseph's Preparatory High 
School in June 1944. From August 1944, to January 1946, he attended the 
Pennsylvania Maritime Academy, and was thereafter commissioned as an 
Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In September 1946, Judge Blake 
entered the prestigious Saint Joseph's College and earned a bachelor of 
science degree upon his graduation in May 1950.
  Following his graduation, Judge Blake volunteered for active military 
service during the Korean war. As a damage control officer on the 
U.S.S. Sutherland, he participated in the Inchon invasion in September 
1950. Judge Blake was honorably discharged from active duty in 1951, 
but he remained a member of the Reserve fleet and eventually attained 
the high rank of lieutenant commander before his discharge from the 
reserves in 1972.
  Judge Blake's legal career was just as distinguished as his military 
achievements. Judge Blake attended the University of Pennsylvania Law 
School where he was to become class president. After graduating with 
honors, Judge Blake was appointed chief law clerk to the Court of 
Common Pleas No. 2, a position he held until 1962. From 1962 until 
1964, he served as chief deputy court administrator of the court, and 
court administrator from 1964 until 1974.
  In 1966, during his tenure as court administrator, the Court of 
Common Pleas entered the electronic age with the implementation of a 
computer system. As a direct consequence of his efforts, the court's 
ability to manage its caseload substantially improved, and the results 
were published in Computer Streamlines Caseload at Philadelphia Common 
Pleas Court, which Judge Blake coauthored.
  Gov. Milton J. Schapp appointed Judge Blake to the bench of the 
Common Pleas in 1971, and he was elected in full term on November 6, 
1973. In 1983 and 1993, Judge Blake was retained by the voters of 
Pennsylvania for succeeding terms in office.
  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed Judge Blake as 
administrative judge of the trial division of the Court of Common Pleas 
of Philadelphia County on April 11, 1986, and during his tenure, the 
disposition of cases improved even though the filing rate for civil 
cases increased dramatically.
  On December 18, 1990, Judge Blake was elected as president judge. 
During his term of office as president judge, the criminal section of 
the trial division of the Court of Common Pleas was finally relocated 
to the newly completed Criminal Justice Center. This was a long-term 
project which was conceived, and nurtured due primarily to the efforts 
of Judge Blake.
  Judge Blake's accomplishments, as a dedicated officer in the Army and 
a distinguished judge in the courtroom, has earned him respect and 
praise from his peers. I join his family and friends in wishing him an 
enjoyable retirement.

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