HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

140th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22

HONORING RESIDENT JUDGE VINCENT A. BIFFERATO UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 32 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Vincent A. Bifferato has established himself as one of Delaware’s most able and beloved judges in the long and glorious history of the Delaware Judiciary; and

WHEREAS, Judge Bifferato is retiring after nearly 32 years of outstanding and distinguished service as a member of the Superior Court dating back to his appointment by the late Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr. in July 1968 and following through his re-appointment as an Associate Judge by Governor Pierre S. duPont in August 1980 and continuing through his appointment as Resident Judge of the Superior Court in New Castle County by Governor Michael N. Castle in May 1992; and

WHEREAS, Judge Bifferato has served his native State in many other capacities including as a member of the Delaware General Assembly, a member of the Public Defenders Office, Chairman of the Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, and on a host of committees established to improve the administration of justice as well as an adjunct professor at the Widener University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, the Judge has shared his eloquence by speaking before numerous groups, schools, University of Delaware and Widener University School of Law classes and numerous other groups including graduates of the police training academy; and

WHEREAS, his entire family including his wife, Marie and his sons Vincent Jr. and Conner have all had distinguished careers in law while his daughter Kathleen Connolly is married into one of Delaware’s prominent legal families and has had a brilliant career in her own right as a political consultant before she decided to devote full-time to her family; and

WHEREAS, Judge Bifferato’s parents as well were hard working and revered members of the Wilmington community; and

WHEREAS, it is highly appropriate that this esteemed and towering figure in the life of our State receive the very highest commendation and recognition upon his retirement after so many years of enlightened public service in which his decisions and judgements were a beacon of hope for countless citizens who had reason to come before the Delaware court system.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 140^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that we hereby declare Friday, March 31^st VINCENT A. BIFFERATO DAY IN DELAWARE and call upon the Governor to widely publish this Joint Resolution of our respect, affection and deep debt of gratitude to the Judge we herein honor; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we wish Judge Bifferato and the members of his beautiful family all the best of happiness and enjoyment together in their retirement years that lie ahead; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Judge Bifferato carries with him into retirement the warm good will and very best of wishes from every Delawarean who loves freedom, respects the law and cherishes justice.

This Resolution expresses the high esteem held by the people of Delaware for Judge Vincent A. Bifferato.