[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9262-H9263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JUDGE CHARLES D'ARRIGO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, since taking office last November, I have 
spoken before this House many times on the critical issues and 
decisions that face our nation. I would like to depart from my usual 
practice and speak before you this evening on an all-together different 
matter.
  It is without question that the United States is the greatest nation 
in the history of the

[[Page H9263]]

World. In the span of a little more than 200 years, we have gone from a 
fledgling nation surrounded by the wilderness of nature and coldness of 
international isolation, to the World's only military and economic 
superpower. In that role the United States has been the sole protector 
of liberty and freedom during the World's darkest hours of this century 
and acted as a benevolent force to defeat and turn back the tide of 
fascism and communism. The greatness of America does not come from 
military strength or economic wealth. Rather, the greatness of America 
flows from the spirit of freedom and accomplishment brought about by 
the individuals who live in our land. I would like to take this 
opportunity to talk to you about one of those individuals--Judge 
Charles D'Arrigo.
  In many ways Judge D'Arrigo exemplifies the typical American success 
story. The son of an immigrant father, Judge D'Arrigo attended Wagner 
College and Brooklyn Law School and served in the United States Army 
during the Second World War in the European Theater of Operations. From 
1954 through 1973 he was engaged in the private practice of law, and in 
1973 was elected a Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York. In 
1981, he became the Judge of the Surrogate's Court of Richard County, a 
position that he continues to hold and will until his retirement at the 
end of this year.
  Being a Judge of the Surrogate Court is not an easy task. The duties 
of a Surrogate very often have to deal with the intimate personal and 
financial situation of a grieving family after the loss of a loved one. 
Many times those cases are compounded by acrimonious disputes. True to 
his nature, of always seeing the bright side of life, Judge D'Arrigo 
transformed his position to help young, loving couples become parents 
by performing hundreds of adoptions. Adoption Day in the Surrogate's 
Court has been turned into a Staten Island holiday season tradition. 
Although soft spoken, Judge D'Arrigo has stood as a champion of justice 
and acted as a fair and compassionate arbiter of the law. Universally 
respected, Judge D'Arrigo exudes the honor and integrity that highlight 
the importance of our justice system and the rule of law that protects 
individual liberty.
  Judge D'Arrigo's civic pursuits extend far outside of the court room 
as well. With Norma, his lovely wife and partner of 49 years, the 
D'Arrigo's have participated in so many philanthropic endeavors, that 
their good works, most often without credit or accolades, are 
inseparably woven throughout the social fabric of our great Borough.
  On the occasion of his retirement from the bench, I wish to 
congratulate Charles. To Norma I say, thank you for allowing us to have 
your husband for so long and I hope that you both enjoy this special 
time for many years to come.
  It is my sincere hope that you both remain active participants in the 
community. Collectively, as a community, we would be at a loss without 
the gentle words, kind smiles and steely determination to perform good 
works that you both bring into any project.
  My best wishes to Charles and Norma D'Arrigo, their three children, 
Shelton, Janice and Charles. And of course, their lovely granddaughter, 
Christin, and I thank the Speaker for indulging me in this personal 
commemoration.

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