[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO JUDGE TOM PETERSEN ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH

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                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 1998

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a distinct honor to 
pay tribute to one of Miami-Dade's unsung heroes, Judge Tom Petersen. 
His retirement on Friday, March 27, 1998 from the Dade Circuit Court 
will leave a deep void in that bench.
  Judge Petersen represented the best of our community. Having 
dedicated a major portion of his life to making the juvenile justice 
system work on behalf of our wayward youth, he was relentless in his 
development of many innovative programs that helped turn them around. 
His was a crusade that maximized understanding and compassion for many 
adolescents under the tutelage of the juvenile court system. His motto, 
``Hug a kid: that's where it starts'' was one that bordered on a 
thorough understanding of many a youth's need to be understood and 
guided through their growing years.
  He was virtually the lone voice in the wilderness in exposing his 
righteous indignation over many irrelevant programs that siphoned off 
funds from the public till instead of succinctly eradicating the 
symptoms of juvenile delinquency. At the same time, he has been 
forthright and forceful in advocating the tenets of equal treatment 
under the law for those juveniles who have been remanded to the 
juvenile court system. His sensitivity toward them knew no bounds, and 
he was untiring in seeking the appropriate guidance and counseling 
strategies for them so that they could pull themselves out of the 
gutter of juvenile delinquency. In a 1993 Miami Herald editorial, Judge 
Petersen was cited for his firm belief that ``. . . the state's 
approach toward juvenile delinquency is antiquated.'' A little TLC, he 
said, and they'd stop stealing hub caps and start doing their algebra 
homework.
  In his stint on the Dade Circuit bench, Judge Petersen truly 
represented an exemplary public servant who abided by the dictum that 
those who have less in life through no fault of their own should 
somehow be lifted by those who have been blessed with life's great 
amenities. As a gadfly on the Circuit Court, he was wont to prod both 
elected and appointed officials in redirecting many government-funded 
programs to focus their resources on reducing juvenile delinquency, and 
thereby provide youthful offenders with the tools to create a more 
meaningful life.
  As one of those hardy spirits who chose to reach out to the at-risk 
youth living in public housing projects, Judge Petersen thoroughly 
understood the accouterments of power and leadership. He sagely 
exercised them alongside the mandate of his conviction and the wisdom 
of his knowledge, focusing his energies to enhance the well-being of 
our community he learned to love and care for so deeply.
  His undaunted efforts in the juvenile court system shaped and formed 
the agenda of many community organizations. His word is his bond of 
honor to those who dealt with him, not only in moments of triumphal 
exuberance in helping many a wayward youth turn the corners around, but 
also in his resilient quest to transform Miami-Dade county into a 
veritable mosaic of vibrant cultures and diverse peoples converging 
together into the great experiment that is America.
  For this he was awarded the much-coveted Miami Herald's Spirit of 
Excellence in 1988. Numerous accolades with which various organizations 
have honored him symbolize the unequivocal testimony of the utmost 
respect and admiration he enjoys from our community.
  Judge Tom Petersen truly exemplified a one-of-a-kind leadership whose 
courage and wisdom appealed to our noblest character. It is his 
compassionate and resilient spirit that genuinely dignifies the role of 
a public servant. For this he will sorely be missed! I truly salute him 
on behalf of a grateful community.

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