LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable Peter J. O'Donoghue upon
the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Catholic
Lawyers Guild of Queens County on June 9, 2016

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and
careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Honor-
able Peter J. O'Donoghue, Justice of the Supreme Court, upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition by the Catholic Lawyers
Guild of Queens County to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner at The
Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, New York, on Thursday, June 9,
2016; and
WHEREAS, From February of 1972 to September of 1976, Peter J.
O'Donoghue held the title of Assistant to the Director of Personnel at
Ozanam Hall Nursing Home, Flushing, New York; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1976, Peter J. O'Donoghue earned his Bachelor of
Business Studies degree from St. John's University, School of Business;
three years later, he obtained his Juris Doctor degree from St. John's
University, School of Law; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Peter J. O'Donoghue served as a Law Intern
to staff attorneys at the Queens Legal Aid Society from September of
1978 to June of 1979; he then worked as a Law Assistant for the Bronx
County Criminal Court until March of 1982; and
WHEREAS, From March of 1982 until December 31, 1995, Peter J.
O'Donoghue held the position of Principal Law Clerk to Justice John J.
Clabby of the Queens County Supreme Court; he then served as Queens
County Civil Court Judge from January 1996 until March of 2001; and
WHEREAS, After leaving this position, Peter J. O'Donoghue served as
the Acting Supreme Court Justice for nearly nine months before being
elected to the position of Supreme Court Justice on January 1, 2002, a
title he continues to hold today; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Judge Peter J. O'Donoghue has
held numerous leadership positions for various organizations including
co-Chairman of the Queens Task Force for the Disabled, President and
Past Treasurer of the Flushing Lawyers Club, President and Past Secre-
tary of the St. Patrick's Society, Parish Councilman and Chairman of the
Finance Committee of Sacred Heart Parish, as well as Majority Leader of
the Queens Independent Living Center; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Judge Peter J. O'Donoghue has been a member of
the American Red Cross and the American Principle's Committee; and
WHEREAS, Judge Peter J. O'Donoghue also served on the Queens County
Bar Association Committee and as a Small Claims Arbitrator and worked
Pro Bono in the New York City Civil Court; and
WHEREAS, A role model for all who aspire to a career in the legal
profession, Judge Peter J. O'Donoghue has devoted his purposeful life to
preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of the citizens of his
community and the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, For over 14 years, Peter O'Donoghue has rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service as a Supreme Court Justice, earning
the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, A singular asset to all of the citizens he has served in the
community of the State of New York, Judge Peter J. O'Donoghue's life and
career are a portrait of preeminence in public service, and present a
role model for all who aspire to a career in public service; now, there-
fore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Peter J. O'Donoghue upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of
Queens County on June 9, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Peter J. O'Donoghue.