[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 776]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JOHN J. DRISCOLL

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
distinguished career of the Honorable John J. Driscoll who retired on 
December 31, 2015, as a senior judge from the Westmoreland County Court 
of Common Pleas.
  His distinctive career as an elected public official spans more than 
three decades and is marked by excellence, dedication, hard work, and a 
genuine love for serving others. Improving the lives of others has been 
of paramount importance throughout his career.
  In 1984, Judge Driscoll served as the Westmoreland County district 
attorney. As a district attorney, Judge Driscoll was one of the first 
in Pennsylvania to have a victim witness coordinator, whose duties 
included informing victims of the case status, assisting eligible 
victims with obtaining funds under the Pennsylvania Victim Compensation 
Assistance Fund, and helping victims to receive restitution from 
defendants found guilty.
  A decade later, he was appointed to an open seat on the Westmoreland 
County Court of Common Pleas and was elected in 1995 to continue his 
service. After a brief stint in criminal court, Judge Driscoll returned 
to family court because he believed it was the best way to help 
children, not only in custody cases, but also in other cases affecting 
juveniles. His work with juvenile offenders and exchanges with their 
parents played an important role in making lasting changes in their 
lives and reducing crime in the community. Furthermore, Judge Driscoll 
has been a strong advocate for offender rehabilitation as an effective 
way to reduce recidivism.
  His commitment to the community has also been a constant throughout 
his career, including his work as a trustee on the Board of Excela 
Health, a Paul Harris Fellow from the Greensburg Rotary Club, and as a 
past chair of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's criminal procedural 
rules committee. Judge Driscoll has received many rewards for his 
service including the Fred Funari Mental Health Association Award of 
Distinction from the Mental Health Association of Westmoreland County.
  Judge Driscoll has also had a most distinguished career in the Navy 
and received several awards for service to his country. They include 
the Naval Achievement Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, 
the Presidential Unit Citation, and the National Defense Service Medal 
for exceptionally meritorious service as part of U.S. naval support 
activity in Danang, Republic of Vietnam.
  Although he officially retired on December 31, 2012, Judge Driscoll 
continued to serve the court during the past 3 years. Despite being 
paid for only 10 days of service each month, I understand he generally 
arrived to work early and often left well after closing time. I know 
his colleagues in the Westmoreland County courthouse will miss him.
  Last, but not least, the gentle guiding force behind John is his 
beloved wife, Anne, and they cherish their five children and five 
grandchildren.
  It is with great pride that I recognize Judge John Driscoll for his 
distinguished career in public service. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in wishing him the best of luck and a happy and healthy 
retirement.

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