[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE JOHN E. McDONALD, JR., FIRST JUSTICE, EAST 
                         BOSTON MUNICIPAL COURT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John E. McDonald, 
Jr., First Justice, East Boston Municipal Court, in recognition of his 
outstanding contributions to his hometown of Braintree and commend him 
for being named to the Judges Wall at The Catholic University of 
America, Columbus School of Law.
  John Jr. is the son of John E. and Patricia M. McDonald who raised 
John Jr. in the Town of Braintree. John relocated to South Boston where 
he made his residence from 1984-2011, there he met and married his 
lovely wife Melissa, and had three children, Andrew 13, Jack 5, and 
Kathryn 4, before moving back to Braintree in 2011, where he and his 
family now reside.
  John attended Boston College High School graduating in 1984. Upon 
graduating Boston College High School, John was accepted to Boston 
College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1988. John 
was then accepted at prestigious Columbus School of Law at The Catholic 
University of America where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 1991.
  Upon his passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam, John worked in the 
Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General as a Law Clerk. In 1991, 
John joined the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office as an 
Assistant District Attorney where he served from 1991 until 1994. In 
1994, John went into private practice by opening the Law Office of John 
E. McDonald, Jr., focusing on his practice as a Sole Practitioner of 
Criminal and Civil Litigation from 1994-2008. Upon completing his 
successful private practice, John was named Assistant Clerk Magistrate, 
Boston Municipal Court, Central Division, where he served until his 
appointment by Governor Deval Patrick as an Associate Justice of the 
Central Division of the Boston Municipal Court in May of 2013. In 
February 2014, John served as the Presiding Justice of the Dorchester 
Division Drug Court until his appointment as the First Justice of East 
Boston Division Drug Court where he presently serves.
  John E. McDonald, Jr., has dedicated his entire professional career 
to the field of Law. His reputation is impeccable as a judge who goes 
above and beyond in helping others. John's commitment to the East 
Boston Community is only exceeded by his love for family, and the 
betterment of those less fortunate. John has served as the keynote 
speaker at the Norfolk County Bar Association, The Salvation Army 
Recovery Program, The East Boston Chamber of Commerce, and has 
volunteered his time in speaking at many Boston area schools on the 
issue of substance abuse, and the law. In addition, The Honorable Judge 
John E. McDonald was also named as a panel member of the highly 
prestigious ``Panel on Recovery'' and was asked by Boston Mayor Martin 
J. Walsh to speak before the City of Boston ``Recovery Forum.''
  Mr. Speaker, John is known for his quick sense of humor, and is a 
true gentleman in every sense of the word. He has earned the respect of 
his peers, and when people look back on Judge McDonald's legacy they 
will remember him as a person who was there for those struggling in the 
most difficult circumstances. Although the honor of being named to the 
Judges Wall will be one highlight of many in John's career, he will 
most assuredly be known for his caring and positive impact on the 
families of East Boston, South Boston, and Braintree.
  Mr. Speaker it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House 
today to join with John E. McDonald's family, friends, and 
contemporaries to thank him for his remarkable service and to commend 
him for the difference he has made to the families of the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts.

                          ____________________