[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      JUDGE DONALD J. VOLKERT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2014

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Donald J. 
Volkert, Jr., who will be joined by his friends, family and colleagues 
tomorrow night in celebration of his retirement as assignment judge for 
Passaic County.
  Judge Volkert received his undergraduate degree from the University 
of Charleston in 1966, and later received his law degree from Ohio 
Northern University in 1969. He then began his impressive career at the 
Supreme Court of Ohio, and from there he had many different judicial 
appointments in Essex County from the criminal division, to the family 
division, to drug court. During his tenure in Essex County, Judge 
Volkert served on a wide range of committees; he was chair of the New 
Jersey Conference of Family Presiding Judges, chair of the Bail Judges 
Sub-Committee as well as co-chair of the Essex County Youth Services 
Commission.
  In May 2008, Judge Volkert was named assignment judge of the Passaic 
Vicinage by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. Since his appointment, Judge 
Volkert has helped make the Passaic County Drug Court into a model for 
other vicinages.
  A strong believer in continuing education, Judge Volkert serves as 
chair of the Sub-Committee on Judicial Education and is a frequent 
lecturer for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Judicial 
College and New Judge Orientation as well as numerous other seminars 
and learning programs.
  Judge Volkert has always been an avid supporter of our troops and 
with one son in the Marine Corps his dedication has only grown. Judge 
Volkert was instrumental in instituting Military Appreciation Month in 
Passaic County which honors veterans as well as assists them in getting 
the services they may need. Judge Volkert's appreciation for our 
veterans is unwavering; at the first Military Appreciation Month event 
he stated, ``I don't think we could ever do enough to honor the men and 
women who have served our country.''
  Judge Volkert has made an outstanding mark on Passaic County with his 
compassionate nature and dedication towards upholding justice. I know 
he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Susan, his 
six children Christine, Scott, Jaime, Elizabeth, Stephen, and Michael, 
as well as his three grandchildren, Jack William, Paula Marie and Max 
Higgins.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
achievements of individuals like Judge Volkert.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Judge Volkert's 
coworkers, family and friends, all those whose lives he has touched, 
and me, in recognizing Judge Donald J. Volkert, Jr.

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