[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO RICHARD A. SILVER

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
celebrate the remarkable career of Richard A. Silver. Rick has long 
been recognized as a model of excellence in Connecticut's legal 
profession and as a national leader and champion for victims of 
wrongful harm and injustice. His specialties are in medical 
malpractice, personal injury, and complex civil litigation, but he is 
truly a tireless advocate of fairness and decency in a wide variety of 
causes.
  Rick was born and raised in Stamford, CT, and became interested in 
the law as a means to give back to his community and help others. After 
graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1960, he 
returned to Connecticut to begin work at the law firm of David 
Goldstein.
  Rick was an immediate success--in fact, winning his very first case 
despite being given less than a week to prepare. In 1965, he set out on 
his own, eventually joined in his new firm by partners David Golub in 
1975 and Ernie Teitell in 1978. From the outset, he sought to stay 
small and excel. His model has been so successful that many of his 
cases are referrals from other lawyers, a testament to the firm's 
extraordinary record and reputation.
  Rick's legal advocacy has changed the landscape of medical 
malpractice law in Connecticut. His arguments before the Connecticut 
Supreme Court for the 1976 case of Katsetos v. Stamford Hospital were 
pathbreaking in the assessment of medical expert testimony and cemented 
a statewide standard of care. His victories in many other cases like 
Pisel v. Stamford Hospital and Oram v. DeCholnoky have been precedent 
setting and historic in imposing accountability and access to legal 
remedies.
  Rick has been widely and repeatedly recognized and honored, and his 
leadership has been instrumental in raising standards of professional 
excellence. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America under 
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Product Liability Litigation 
since 1987 and has been included in Connecticut Super Lawyers since its 
inception. He is also on the board of governors for the Connecticut 
Trial Lawyers Association, where he is co-chairman of the medical 
malpractice committee, previously served as president of the 
Connecticut Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is a 
member of both the American Law Institute and the American Association 
for Justice.
  Equally important, Rick has been an extraordinary mentor and model, 
generously devoting his skill to developing talent in others and 
finding opportunities for others to excel. He has helped young lawyers 
to achieve success and public service.
  Rick's lifelong commitment to giving back includes numerous worthy 
causes and organizations. His generosity is longstanding and legendary. 
He is a major supporter of the Silver Education Center, named in honor 
of his family, at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, CT. He is also 
engaged in supporting higher education as a member of the board of 
trustees at Quinnipiac University and a member of the advisory boards 
for both the Quinnipiac University School of Law and Medical School.
  Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday and more than six 
decades of remarkable public service, he shows no sign of slowing down. 
Now, as ever, the legal profession relies on him--as do countless 
clients seeking justice--for his dedication, courage, and skill. I ask 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the remarkable 
career and work of Richard A. Silver.

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