[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16351]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         HONORING JUDGE QUILLEN

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of 
Delaware's most brilliant legal minds and genuinely altruistic public 
servants--the Honorable William T. Quillen.
  I have known Judge Quillen for 33 years, since I was an attorney 
fresh out of law school and looking for a job. As a 32-year old 
Delaware Superior Court judge he met with me and on blind faith 
recommended me for my first legal job. He has been a dear friend and 
confidant ever since. Over the past three decades, I have watched Judge 
Quillen with pride and admiration attain the greatest judicial heights 
any lawyer could ever strive for in Delaware, which is universally 
recognized--nationally and internationally--as having one of the most 
reputable, intellectual benches bar none.
  He is known in my state affectionately and respectfully as ``Judge,'' 
``Chancellor,'' ``Justice,'' and ``Mr. Secretary of State.'' He nearly 
became Governor and was my recommendation to President Clinton in June, 
1999 to serve on the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. It 
was during a medical examination required for this position that his 
physician detected prostate cancer. For health reasons, we withdrew his 
name from consideration. I am happy to report that following treatment 
for prostate cancer, he is as healthy as ever, running 5K races like a 
man half his age.
  Now, in classic Bill Quillen altruism--he says it's time to retire 
from the bench and make way for younger lawyers to serve as judges.
  Early in his career, Bill Quillen served in the United States Air 
Force as a judge advocate, then as a top aide for Delaware's Governor. 
His judicial career began in 1966 on the Superior Court, which is 
Delaware's primary trial court. In 1973, he was elevated and confirmed 
as Chancellor of Delaware's renowned Court of Chancery.
  Following a two-year experience as a private attorney with the 
Wilmington Trust Company, he again heeded the call for public service. 
In 1978, the General Assembly had expanded Delaware's Supreme Court 
from three to five members, and the Governor called on Bill Quillen. He 
was confirmed unanimously as a Delaware Supreme Court Justice. He 
served on the State's Highest Court for five years, before stepping 
down to run for Governor on the Democratic ticket. In one of the rare 
instances when he did not achieve his goal, Bill Quillen was not bitter 
or discouraged. In 1993, he accepted Governor Tom Carper's call for 
continued public service to become Secretary of State. In a state that 
more than half of the Fortune 500 companies call home, Secretary 
Quillen made his mark on this prestigious office.
  But his heart remained in the law. In November, 1994, Governor Carper 
nominated and the General Assembly unanimously confirmed him to the 
Court where his storied career began--the Delaware Superior Court. As I 
said earlier, I believe our federal bench would have been enlightened 
by his experience and brilliance, but for health reasons, this was not 
meant to be.
  What's even more striking than his distinguished legal career is 
Judge Quillen's love for history. He is a true Delaware historian, with 
long-time family roots in historic New Castle. His love and respect for 
the law, democracy and justice for all are unparalleled.
  Judge Quillen is recognized nationally for his extensive writings on 
Delaware's Court of Chancery, the history of Equity Jurisdiction in 
Delaware and the Federal-State Corporate Law Relationship. His 
colleagues nationwide also have awarded him numerous prestigious 
awards, including the First Place Award for the 1980 Judge Edward R. 
Finch Law Day U.S.A. Speech, sponsored by the American Bar Association, 
on the topic of ``Seven Perceptions of Freedom.'' In June, 1998, he 
also received the ``American Judicature Society's Herbert Harley 
Award.''
  Judge Quillen will continue to serve as a professor at the Widener 
University School of Law and plans to spend more time with his wife of 
41 years, two daughters and three grandchildren. I have no doubt his 
legal legacy, knowledge of Delaware, writing and speaking ability will 
continue to serve our State for many years to come.
  Judge Quillen is a proud graduate of Harvard Law School, and it was 
the Dean Emeritus of Harvard Law School--Roscoe Pound--who said:
  ``Law is experience developed by reason and applied continually to 
further experience.''
  Judge Quillen's vast experience and reasoned principles applied as a 
member of Delaware's top three courts will forever leave its marks on 
our body of law in Delaware. Our State and our citizens are so much 
better for his service. So, Your Honor, May It Please The Court, 
respectfully accept this statement of profound gratitude and 
admiration.

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