[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF JUSTICE JOHN F. O'DONNELL

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
retirement of the Honorable John F. O'Donnell, J.S.C. Justice O'Donnell 
is stepping down from his position as the New York State Supreme Court 
Justice of the Eighth Judicial District after a remarkable legal 
career.
  In doing so, I recognize the efforts Justice O'Donnell has made on 
behalf of Western New York families; especially those affected by child 
abuse and domestic violence. Justice O'Donnell has been an outspoken 
advocate for women and children within the court system.
  Justice O'Donnell began his career in the private sector in 1971, and 
later ventured into public service as a confidential law clerk. Justice 
O'Donnell soon became a pillar of the Erie County Family Court. In 
November 1985, he was appointed as a hearing examiner, and in January 
1988, he became an Erie County Family Court Judge. In January 1992, he 
was named the Supervising Judge of the Family Courts, and the Domestic 
Violence Education Coordinator for New York's Eighth Judicial District.
  Justice O'Donnell has served on the State Supreme Court since 1995. 
In November 2003, Justice O'Donnell became the first judge to preside 
over the Erie County branch of the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. 
This monumental court reform initiative allowed New York State to 
streamline the legal processes involved in domestic violence cases, 
thereby better serving individuals and families.
  Justice O'Donnell has been honored with numerous accolades throughout 
his rich career, including the 1999 Judges and Police Executives 
Conference Jurist of the Year, the 1997 Western New York Matrimonial 
Trial Lawyers Association Judge of the Year, the 1998 Bar Association 
of Erie County Family and Matrimonial Law Committee Special Achievement 
Award, the 1993 William B. Hoyt Award from the Erie County Coalition 
Against Family Violence, and the 2001 Ted Hengerer Award from the 
Theatre of Youth. In 1997, Justice O'Donnell was inducted into the 
Signum Fidei Society of his alma mater, St. Joseph's Collegiate 
Institute.
  Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to recognize the retirement 
of Justice John O'Donnell here today. He has dedicated his career to 
finding justice for the people of Western New York and we greatly 
appreciate his service.

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