[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORABLE RICHARD M. FREID

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2014

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorable 
Richard M. Freid who was celebrated for his retirement from judicial 
service on Friday, August 8, 2014 by his friends, family, and 
coworkers. He retires after a long career in which he faithfully upheld 
New Jersey's Constitution.
  The Honorable Richard M. Freid is a graduate of Paterson's Eastside 
High School, Montclair State College and Rutgers School of Law.
  Judge Freid was motivated by his uncle, the late Judge Edwin J. 
Nyklewicz, who became a role model and mentor who pushed him to attend 
law school.
  Early in his legal career he developed a specialization in the 
representation of law enforcement officers of all ranks from entry 
level officers through Police Chiefs. He served as personal counsel to 
five Chiefs of Police for the City of Paterson and in branches from 
local, county and state police departments in all types of cases. Judge 
Freid enjoyed a perfect record of success in all of those cases which 
proceeded to a jury verdict.
  He also served as Counsel to the Paterson Hispanic Police Association 
and as Counsel to the Italian-American Police Officers Association of 
New Jersey. He was a proud recipient of New Jersey PBA's Silver Card, 
its highest civilian award, in 1992 and still treasures many of the 
close friendships he made in the over 30 years of such service.
  Judge Freid was appointed in 2004 by Governor McGreevy to the 
Superior Court of New Jersey and reappointed with tenure in 2011 by 
Governor Christie. He has served nine of his ten years on the bench in 
the Family Division and has sat in every case type possible in the 
Family Division except Juvenile Court.
  His first year of judicial service was in Essex County where he was 
``taken under the wing'' of Judge Peter Ryan who he credits with making 
his transition from Bar to Bench an easy one. Judge Ryan mentored him 
in both the application of the law but, more importantly, with how to 
approach each day on the bench with a common touch and with some degree 
of humor when the circumstance permitted. Judge Freid continues to 
experience their close friendship to this day.
  Although Judge Freid was required to retire from regular active 
Judicial service at age 70 pursuant to the New Jersey Constitution, he 
sought reappointment to recall service. Chief Justice Rabner signed 
that order which permitted Judge Freid to continue to serve here in 
Passaic County until his retirement this year.
  He was a lifelong resident of the City of Paterson until 1998 when he 
moved to Hawthorne and then to North Haledon in 2004, where he 
currently resides with his wife State Senator Nellie Pou. Together they 
have four children, Christopher Freid, Jennifer Jaworowski, Edwin Pou 
II, and Taina Pou, along with four grandchildren.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
achievements of individuals like the Honorable Richard M. Freid.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Hon. Judge Freid's 
family, friends, coworkers, and all those whose lives he has touched, 
and me, in recognizing the Honorable Richard M. Freid.

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