[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7922-S7923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     REMEMBERING RICHARD P. CONABOY

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to remember Judge 
Richard P. Conaboy, who served the people of Lackawanna County and the 
Middle District of Pennsylvania as a judge for over five decades.
  Judge Conaboy was born and raised in Scranton, PA. After graduating 
from the University of Scranton in 1945, he served in the Army Air 
Force and became a sergeant before his discharge in 1947. He earned a 
law degree from Catholic University in 1950 and practiced law in 
Scranton for 12 years until he was appointed to be a judge on the 
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas in 1962. He served on this 
court with distinction for 17 years. Judge Conaboy was nominated to the 
Federal bench by President Jimmy Carter and confirmed by the Senate in 
1979. He went on to serve the Middle District of Pennsylvania for 
nearly four decades.
  Judge Conaboy also served as chairman of the U.S. Sentencing 
Commission from 1994 to 1998. Notably, during his tenure, Judge Conaboy 
raised concerns about Congress's decision to address the crack cocaine 
epidemic by significantly enhancing penalties for crack, but not 
powder, cocaine, creating a sentencing disparity that he believed was 
having a profound disproportionate impact on minority communities. His 
opposition to this disparity and his dedication to fairness in 
sentencing presaged Congress's passage of the Fair Sentencing Act in 
2010 and have continued to influence efforts to reform Federal 
sentencing laws.
  Judge Conaboy was known for his legal acumen, as well as his 
humility, patience, and fairness. Members of the

[[Page S7923]]

Lackawanna County legal community have recalled his unique ability to 
resolve disputes and bring parties to the table with his sense of humor 
and deep respect for all people appearing before him. He worked 
tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Middle District, and he 
continued to hear matters before the court until his death.
  Judge Conaboy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marion, as well as 
their 12 children, 48 grandchildren, and 49 great-
grandchildren.

                          ____________________