Former Governors Announce Support for Retention of Chief Justice Ron Castille

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two former governors said today they support the retention of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille.

Former Governors Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge said Pennsylvanians should vote "yes" on the retention question about Justice Castille on the Nov. 5 ballot. They said his exemplary record on the bench and history of service not only to the state, but to his country, makes him a great jurist and leader.

Justice Castille has been a member of the court since 1994 and Chief Justice since 2008. He is a former Philadelphia District Attorney and decorated Marine. He was a platoon commander during the Vietnam War, losing his right leg to enemy gunfire. He was given the Purple Heart and Bronze Star among other awards and decorations.

Statement from former Gov. Tom Ridge:

"Ron has been a remarkably effective Chief Justice, modernizing the court and presiding over many important cases in Pennsylvania during a very challenging time. The fact that the Pennsylvania Bar Association recommends his endorsement citing his 'steadying influence' and 'continuing leadership' speaks volumes about him as a person and a justice. He not only improved the judicial discipline system of the courts in the commonwealth but he also has made it a priority to encourage lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to those in need. He has a distinguished career that should continue on the Supreme Court."

Statement from former Gov. Ed Rendell:

"I have had the honor of knowing Justice Castille for many years. He was my successor as district attorney of Philadelphia, prosecuting some of the most serious crimes in the state.  As a Supreme Court Justice he has gone on to oversee some of the toughest legal cases in Pennsylvania. He continues to be the most productive justice in terms of written majority decisions. And he does this while handling the myriad of administrative tasks that go along with being the Chief Justice.

"Here in Philadelphia he has overseen the construction of the Family Courthouse and is eager to see it to its completion.  It is clear he still has more to do and I, for one, am glad that he wants to continue on the bench. "

Committee to Retain Chief Justice Castille

STEVE HARMELIN, CHAIRMAN
ROBERT E.J. CURRAN, VICE CHAIR
TAD DECKER, TREASURER
GOV. EDWARD G. RENDELL, HONORARY CHAIR
GOV. THOMAS J. RIDGE, HONORARY CHAIR

Barbara Adams  
Gaeton Alfano
Tom Bender 
Gabe Bevilacqua
Matthew G. Boyd 
Carl Buchholz  
Carl D. Bucholz     
Mark W. Bufalino     
Jerry Calvert   
Matthew J. Carmody  
Patrick R. Casey    
David Cohen  
James J. Curran, Jr.    
John G. Dean  
Jim Doherty    
John Elliott      
Frederick J. Fanelli  
Bruce Ficken
Bob Fiebach   
Ann Field     
Paul A. Galante 
Gary Gentile    
Jim Ginty         
David Girard-diCarlo   
Lisa C. Haas   
Peter J. Halesey          
Caitlyn C. Hatch          
Kevin Hayes    
Robert Heim   
Dan Hilferty    
Christopher H. Hobbs
Joe Jacovini    
Ken Jarin        
Joe J. Joyce 
Charlie Kopp 
David Z. Lantz 
Chris Lewis       
Howard Meyers          
Leslie Miller       
Lawrence J. Moran, Jr.             
Patrick O'Connor          
Louis Petroni     
Bill Pietragallo   
Abe Reich         
Scott Reid         
Elaine Rinaldi-Bailey      
Bill Sasso          
Bernard Smalley           
Marc Sonnenfeld          
John Soroko     
Shanin Specter             
Andy Susko       
Paul Tufano      
James White     
Shanna W. Williamson  
Joel M. Wolf       
Roy Zimmerman         

SOURCE Committee to Retain Chief Justice Castille