I am happy to report to you that over $3,000.00 has been received as of the November 13, 2001 Executive Council meeting from the members as donations for the victims and their families, as well as for the benefit of those individuals who are involved in assisting our country, all resulting from the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Please remember that we are having a phantom holiday party instead of a physical function this month in order to provide a means for our members to express their monetary support of the victims in New York City, at the Pentagon and crash site in rural Pennsylvania. The target deadline for contributions is December 14, 2001 and I would once again ask that each member who would normally attend the Holiday Party physically, do so instead in spirit this year, by making the same donation of $34.00 payable to the Bar Association. Naturally, any member can make a donation in any amount whether he/she/they would normally attend the holiday party or not, the more the merrier so to speak.

At any rate, the Executive Council will make the decision as to the charitable beneficiary at the January meeting but it would be most helpful if anyone making a September 11th donation would include a suggestion as to the charity of his or her choice. The more local the charitable fund, the better, so that our contribution will mean as much as possible to the recipients.

I was honored last month at the two separate Memorial Services to provide brief concluding remarks in that I followed heart-felt memorials provided by Judge Charles Foos, Judge Paul Alpert, Richard McMahon’s grandson Drew, Russ White, Steve Sfekas, Bill Cahill, Jim Gede, Bodie Finnerty, Judge Robert Karwacki and Judge Alan Wilner. While the session on November 1, 2001 held in Courtroom 2 was rather well attended, the second memorial held on November 15, 2001 in the County Council Chambers could have been and should have been better attended. We will work on ways to increase participation for the memorial service next year. I do want to thank the Memorial Committee consisting of Glen Lazzaro and Sally Chester, Chairperson and Vice Chair respectively, along with Jennifer Aist, Lee Jacobson, Raphael Santini, Judge Robert Steinberg and our Executive Director, for their hard work in advertising this event, coordinating the speakers and working with Circuit Court Administrative Officer Peter Lally in arranging the logistics. Job well done.

In the holiday spirit and on behalf of the Officers, Executive Council and Staff of your Association, I want to wish each of you and your families a safe and enjoyable holiday and ask that you keep in mind that our next physical function will be the retirement dinner for immediate past Chief Judge Edward A. DeWaters, Jr., scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, 2002, to be followed by the Annual Banquet on January 28, 2002.