[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JUDGE PHILIP E. LAGANA

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Judge Philip E. Lagana, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
State of New York who recently passed away. Judge Lagana leaves behind 
a legacy of fairness and compassion as a Justice. He was not afraid to 
make difficult decisions, explore new concepts, or develop new 
theories, and he serves as an example to all in terms of not only how 
to be an exemplary justice but also how to be an exemplary human being.
  Judge Lagana was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent his lifetime 
serving his community. He attended Georgetown University, and then 
Brooklyn Law School, after which he began a private practice in the 
field of criminal law. Soon after, he began a long and distinguished 
career of public service, beginning in the Kings County District 
Attorney's Office, where he was appointed an Assistant District 
Attorney. He was rapidly promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of 
the Supreme Court Trial Assistants, where he set up a Bureau of Major 
Offenses. Upon completion of this task, Judge Lagana was appointed 
Chief of this bureau. In 1974, then-mayor Abe Beame made Judge Lagana 
the President of the New York City Tax Commission. In 1975, he was 
elected to the Supreme Court of the State of New York. His election 
served as recognition by the public of his many years of public 
service.
  As a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Judge 
Lagana acted with firmness, fairness, and compassion. His actions found 
support from the appellate bench which reviewed them, from the lawyers 
who argued before him, from his fellow justices, and from the public. 
He was reelected for an additional 14-year term.
  In 1992, Judge Lagana retired from the bench, leaving behind a proud 
legacy as a distinguished public servant, and taking with him many 
accolades and honors, among them from the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the 
Columbian Lawyers Association, the Kings County Criminal Bar 
Association, the Brooklyn Bar Association, the New York State Real 
Estate Board, the United Jewish Appeal, Marlboro Memorial Post No. 
1437, the American Legion and its Women's Club, and the 46 A.D. 
Democratic Club.
  Judge Lagana will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and as 
a decent person who had a loving commitment and dedication to his 
family, country, and society. Judge Lagana will be missed.

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