[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 217 (Thursday, December 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1382-E1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD BANBURY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 16, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the members of the 
House to join me in mourning the passing of Richard Banbury, a highly 
respected attorney, dedicated public servant, loving husband, father, 
and grandfather, and a cornerstone of the Marlborough community for 
decades. Richard sadly passed away on December 2, 2021, at the age of 
83. He represented the pinnacle of civic and community engagement, 
leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to others. His 
service in the legal and political spheres will be held in high regard 
by all those he impacted.
  A son of Connecticut, Richard was born in Hartford in 1938. He 
excelled academically, attending Yale University where he graduated 
with his Bachelor's in Economics in 1960. Upon graduation, Richard 
remained at Yale to pursue his passion in law, later graduating from 
Yale Law School in 1963. Immediately, Richard began making an impact 
within the legal field, serving as the Chair of the Jerome Frank Legal 
Aid Society in 1963 where he guided the organization in providing legal 
assistance to those who could not afford private attorneys. He 
continued this passion into his budding career, serving as a Law Clerk 
to Associate Justice John P. Cotter, of the Connecticut Supreme Court. 
As a result of his unwavering dedication to helping others through the 
law, Richard became a State's Attorney and later Chief Assistant 
Attorney for Hartford County, where he served for nearly a decade.
  Richard's legal career evolved throughout the years, as he began to 
find new areas in which he could make an impact. Amidst this evolution, 
Richard was chosen in a highly selective process to become a Guggenheim 
Fellow at Yale Law School from 1976 through 1977. This respected 
fellowship allowed Richard to further delve into his legal passions and 
develop legal academia. Richard's next legal pursuit began with Rome 
McGuigan, P.C. in Hartford, where he worked as a civil litigator, an 
arbitrator, and defense counsel. As a defense counsel, Richard 
represented the Mohegan Tribe and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority 
located here in Southeastern Connecticut. Throughout these years, 
Richard served an additional twenty-five years on the Connecticut Bar 
Examining Committee as well as thirty years as the Executive Director 
and Counsel to the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct in Connecticut. 
Throughout each and every one of his legal endeavors, Richard 
continuously held himself and the practice of law itself to higher 
standards of success, improving upon the quality of representation 
available throughout the region and beyond. On a personal note, I first 
met Richard at the Hartford Superior Court at 95 Washington Street when 
I was an intern in the public defender's office in 1978 and had a 
chance to watch him argue cases before judges and juries. He stood out 
as a very effective advocate who conveyed a deep grasp of the law and a 
friendly but very strong persona that connected with his audience. 
Later, after I passed the bar and encountered him as a young lawyer, he 
always had an encouraging word in the hallways of the courthouse that I 
will never forget and still deeply appreciate. Years later, in 2006 he 
was a staunch supporter of my race for Congress which succeeded by only 
83 votes out of 241,000. He was a tireless campaigner and once again, I 
will be forever grateful to him for his friendship and good counsel.
  Richard lived a life of service, actively participating on various 
town committees in Marlborough and the town's Democratic Town 
Committee. He used his voice to advocate for the well-being of his 
community members and for the issues he was passionate about, including 
through his published editorials in the Hartford Courant. His active 
engagement transcended politics, and he spent substantial time 
fostering a community with his graduating class of Yale. He found 
enjoyment through service and the many pastimes he enjoyed, including 
swimming in the beautiful Lake Terramuggus. His passion for life was 
admirable and showcased the wealth and joys of community.
  All those who had the pleasure of knowing Richard saw firsthand his 
tireless work ethic and love of life. He is survived by his wife of 
twenty-seven years, Nicolette Banbury, six children--Michael, Anthony, 
Andrea, Jennifer, Samantha, Thomas, and twelve grandchildren. He has 
left an immeasurable impact on his beloved Marlborough community and 
the entirety of Eastern Connecticut. I am honored to have known Richard 
and have felt the impact of his life's work. As a chamber, please join 
me in sending our deepest condolences to the Banbury family and 
expressing our greatest respect for Richard's work. Madam Speaker, to 
that end, I ask that we immortalize the life and legacy of Richard 
Banbury.

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