[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 86 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING JUDGE ANTHONY J. DENNIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2023

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this month, Rhode Island District Court 
Judge Anthony J. Dennis celebrated his 98th birthday and remains an 
important and active member of his community.
  Born in Bristol, Rhode Island on May 15, 1925, Judge Dennis was 
raised in Naugatuck, Connecticut. In 1942, at the age of 17, he made 
the brave decision to enlist in the Navy Seabees.
  During World War II, he was stationed in the Pacific Theater on 
Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands and on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands 
with Unit CBMU 549. His unit's courageous efforts helped lead to the 
Japanese surrender of Wake Island in 1945. Judge Dennis returned safely 
to the United States and was honorably discharged in 1946.
  After the war, he resumed his education at Bristol's Colt High School 
and then continued to Providence College. At the age of 29, Judge 
Dennis obtained his law degree from Boston University Law School and 
then became a member of the Rhode Island bar in 1954.
  He was elected Bristol Town Clerk in 1956, serving in this role until 
1969. He was also a member of the Rhode Island Democratic Party 
Executive Committee, serving as Secretary from 1963 to 1969.
  Judge Dennis was appointed by Governor Frank Licht and confirmed by 
the Rhode Island Senate in 1969 as a District Court Judge where he 
served honorably for 21 years before retiring in 1990. During those 
years, I had the privilege of appearing before Judge Dennis as a 
practicing attorney. He was always a compassionate, profound, and 
thoughtful Judge with a deep commitment to justice.
  Rhode Island thanks the Honorable Anthony J. Dennis for his dedicated 
service to our state and country and wishes him a happy birthday.

                          ____________________