[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               JUDGE PAUL W. DANAHY, JR.'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2018

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Paul 
W. Danahy, Jr.'s 90th birthday, a member of my hometown of Tampa and 
the state of Florida's Greatest Generation. He may wish to be 
remembered as much for working his way through college at the legendary 
Valencia Gardens restaurant as the only Anglo member of the Spanish 
Waiters than for being one of the longest-serving members on Florida's 
Second District Court of Appeals. Wherever Judge Danahy served he 
earned a reputation for working tirelessly and for gaining the respect 
of all with whom he worked.
  Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Judge Danahy was drawn to Tampa to 
play basketball at the University of Tampa. In Tampa he found both a 
new hometown and the love of his life, Georgia Reed. Judge Danahy 
enlisted in the army during the Korean War and has a very unique 
military record including three honorable discharges from two branches 
of the military: the Marine Reserves, the U.S, Army Infantry, and 
finally from service in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps, a 
precursor to the CIA. Upon return from military service he found his 
true calling and earned his law degree from the University of Florida 
in 1957.
  Judge Danahy became an influential member of the Florida House of 
Representatives serving from 1966 to 1974. True to form, Judge Danahy 
played a significant role as part of what many believe to be Tampa's 
greatest state legislative delegations during the late 60s and early 
70s. There, amongst other progressive policies, he drafted and 
championed the very first enactment of our state's Ethics Law, which 
continues in force to this day, and is now firmly ensconced within 
Florida's Constitution. The Florida we know and love today would not be 
possible without the contributions of Judge Danahy and his partners in 
Florida's Greatest Generation.
  After leaving the legislature Judge Danahy's service was only 
beginning. He was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeals in 
1977 and sat on the bench a record shattering thirty-three years, 
serving as Chief Judge from 1986 to 1988. In his 30th year at the 
court, Judge Danahy received a fitting recognition--the largest 
conference room at the Tampa branch of the 2nd DCA was named the Judge 
Paul W. Danahy, Jr., Conference Room. This recognition not only honored 
his record setting time on the bench but also his legislative prowess--
he was largely responsible for obtaining legislative funding to bring 
the branch to Tampa.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to honor and send many wishes to 
a great Tampanian, Judge Paul W. Danahy, Jr., on his 90th birthday. His 
legacy continues as the patriarch of an ever-growing family to which he 
imparts his wisdom, and through whom his lessons and beliefs will 
surely echo in the years to come.

                          ____________________