[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDGE JAMES TORMEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Katko) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, as a proud American and a Member of Congress, 
I rise today on the floor of the House of Representatives to celebrate 
the life and career of the Honorable James Tormey III, one of my 
constituents.
  Judge Tormey was a beloved father and husband. He was a distinguished 
judge and an honorable public servant who passed away far too early on 
June 22, 2019, just 4 days ago.
  A 1972 graduate of State University of New York College at Cortland 
and a 1976 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, my alma 
mater as well, Judge Tormey committed much of his life to public 
service.
  Serving on the Onondaga County Legislature for 10 years and, later, 
as a Syracuse City Court judge, supreme court justice, and district 
administrative judge for the Fifth Judicial District of New York, Jim 
Tormey earned the respect, praise, and trust of many in our community.
  Over the course of his esteemed judicial career, Judge Tormey took a 
measured approach in upholding the law and applying it fairly. He 
firmly believed in the justice system and worked to ensure everyone had 
access to it.
  As a district administrative judge, his most recent job, Judge Tormey 
supervised the operations and schedules of more than 300 judges serving 
in the Fifth Judicial District, many of whom, since his passing this 
week, have shared stories of his strong leadership, his commitment to 
ensuring justice, and his respect for all. They have spoken of his 
commitment to continued legal education and pro bono work and, 
importantly, of his friendship, mentorship, and distinguished 
leadership.
  Judge Tormey was committed to making central New York a better place 
to live and work, and the impact of his work went far beyond the 
courtroom. He used his role to address some of the most pressing issues 
plaguing our community, overseeing the establishment of local drug 
courts, which are very successful, the opioid courts, human trafficking 
court, youthful offender court, and community court for lower-level 
offenders.
  His dedication to central New York was visible in all of his actions, 
and he will be truly missed.
  Above all, though, and far more important to the judge, he was a 
family man. He deeply loved his wife, Susan; their children, Andrew and 
Colleen; and his grandchildren.
  Susan is now left to carry on the great traditions that she and her 
husband forged with their children and others in the community. Sue is 
a successful person in her own right, having a long and storied career, 
including, most recently, at Onondaga Community College.
  To Sue, I say Godspeed. Keep your chin up, cherish your children and 
your grandchildren, and continue to carry on the legacy that your 
husband forged in this community.
  I ask my colleagues, in closing, to keep them in mind as we honor and 
remember the life of this devoted civil servant, Judge Tormey.

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