[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF JUSTICE MICHAEL J. EAGEN

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2017

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael J. Eagen, 
former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court whose life will 
be commemorated by the Lackawanna County Historical Society with a 
History Marker. A shrewd legal mind, Eagen was a celebrated force for 
change in the Pennsylvania justice system before his retirement in 
1980.
  Michael J. Eagen was born on May 9, 1907 and grew up in Jermyn, 
Pennsylvania. In 1927, Eagen graduated from St. Thomas College, today 
the University of Scranton. Eagen then enrolled at Harvard Law School. 
After one semester, he returned to Northeast Pennsylvania following the 
loss of a family business. Eagen later enrolled in a law course in 
Philadelphia and passed the bar exam to start practicing law.
  Eagen then set his sights on elected office and public service, 
beginning his illustrious judicial career. In 1933, at the age of 26, 
he was elected the youngest District Attorney in Lackawanna County. 
After two terms as DA, he became the youngest judge in Lackawanna 
County history at 34 years old. While on the bench, Eagen was outspoken 
against corruption, notably criticizing city police and Assistant City 
Solicitor Joseph V. Phillips in a 1943 case when a defendant claimed he 
was denied his right to testify.
  In 1959, Eagen joined the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In 1977, Eagen 
was named the Court's 38th Chief Justice. In his years on the Supreme 
Court, Eagen ordered a number of reforms to improve Pennsylvania's 
judicial system. Under his deft leadership, the Court was expanded, 
delays in resolving civil lawsuits were rectified and streamlined, and 
a system of accountability for judges was instituted requiring them to 
submit a monthly report on the status of their assigned cases.
  After an impressive 21-year career on Pennsylvania's highest court, 
Chief Justice Eagen retired from the bench in 1980. Eagen passed away 
in 1987 at 80 years of age, leaving behind an impressive legacy and a 
reformed Pennsylvania judicial system. It is an honor to recognize his 
many contributions to Pennsylvania.

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