[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO JUDGE NICHOLAS H. POLITAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of an important member of my district, Nicholas Politan of West 
Orange, New Jersey. Nicholas is being honored tonight with the 58th 
Annual Humanitarian Award from the Columbian Foundation, because of his 
years of service to the community. It is only fitting that he is 
honored, for he epitomizes caring and generosity of spirit.
  Judge Politan, a life-long resident of Essex County, is a graduate of 
Arts High School and Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey. He 
furthered his education at Rutgers Law School, where he served as 
Managing Editor of its Law Review.
  Nicholas has always been a community leader. In 1960, he served as a 
Law Clerk to the Honorable Gerald McLaughlin, a Judge on the United 
States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Following this trend in 
civic awareness Nicholas decided to open a law practice with his friend 
and partner James Cecchi in 1961. The time spent working in his 
practice instilled in him the attributes necessary for him to become 
the stellar force in the community he has now become. It was the small 
steps in the beginning of his career that taught him the fundamentals 
that would make him a role model to the people that he now serves.
  Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, 
Nicholas Politan worked in Lyndhurst, and practiced in many areas of 
the law. Along with his partner, he has served as both Director and 
Principal of the County Trust Company from 1980 through 1987. Politan's 
rise to higher office came with a personal call from President Ronald 
Reagan, who nominated him to the United States District Court.
  On December 14, 1987 Judge Politan was sworn as United States 
District Court Judge. He has since presided over many significant and 
controversial cases. He has always served the people well, and remained 
fair and impartial. Described as affable and disarming by his 
colleagues, Judge Politan has proven that he has the intellectual 
integrity and fortitude to make difficult decisions.
  Receiving the Columbian Foundation's Annual Humanitarian Award is a 
prestigious honor. The organization was founded in 1941 by business and 
professional men of Italian descent from Newark and the surrounding 
communities. The group's Annual Awards Dinner honors individual 
achievements. The Humanitarian Award is bestowed upon a man or woman 
that displays outstanding accomplishments, while supporting the works 
of the Foundation. These works include college scholarships for needy 
students, contributions to children's welfare and charitable 
organizations, donations to Columbus Hospital, the establishment of the 
Italian Institute of Seton Hall University and the support of similar 
programs at other colleges, universities and hospitals.
  Nicholas, a native of Newark, was born on the city's West Side. A 
current resident of West Orange, he lives with his wife for forty 
years, Marian. The couple has two sons, Nick and Vincent and five 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Nicholas' family 
and friends, the members of the Columbian Foundation, and the State of 
New Jersey in recognizing Nicholas H. Politan as a Columbian Foundation 
1999 Honoree.

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