[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 157 (Friday, December 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               ISAAC GARB

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 7, 2012

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
memory of Judge Isaac Garb who passed away late yesterday at the age of 
83.
  As Bucks County, Pennsylvania's longest-serving judge, he remained a 
dedicated public servant throughout his career, still hearing cases 
until the week before Thanksgiving.
  Judge Garb was a true advocate for juvenile justice, recognizing the 
importance of the protection the court system could afford to young 
offenders.
  He always believed that most children who appeared before him in 
court had simply made a mistake and still had a life full of true 
potential in front of them.
  A truly brilliant legal mind, Judge Garb presided over more than five 
decades of cases in my home of Bucks County, completely revamping the 
criminal court division. Judge Garb served several terms as President 
Judge of our esteemed Court.
  In a ritual still practiced to this day, each morning the criminal 
court is in session in the County Seat of Doylestown, Judge Garb took 
it upon himself one day to call out defendant's names and assign them 
to their courtroom, tired of waiting for assignments by the District 
Attorney's office.
  Judge Garb's reforms transformed Bucks County criminal court into the 
most efficiently run system in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  Judge Garb has left a lasting impression on the careers of so many in 
Bucks County, and he has earned the respect and admiration of those 
around him. His reputation as Bucks County's most admired jurist is 
well-deserved and his passing represents a true loss to our community.
  I am honored to have called Judge Garb a friend, as we discussed and 
negotiated many issues of mutual concern between the Office of 
Commissioners and the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, and my 
thoughts and prayers are with his family in these difficult times.

                          ____________________