"Judge Downey devoted time, energy, and talent to improving Connecticut's juvenile justice system,'' Chief Court Administrator Joseph H. Pellegrino said. "So it is only fitting that this building bear his name."

The John T. Downey Courthouse is located at 239 Whalley Ave. in New Haven. Because of space considerations, Wednesday's ceremony was held in the Jury Assembly room at the New Haven Judicial District Courthouse at 235 Church St., New Haven.

Attorney Edward J. Dolan made welcoming remarks. Chief Justice William A. Sullivan then officially renamed the Juvenile Courthouse after Judge Downey. Also speaking were John A. Parese, President of the New Haven Bar Association, the Honorable Jonathan E. Silbert, Administrative Judge for the New Haven Judicial District, and Judge Pellegrino.

Judge Pellegrino read a proclamation from Governor John G. Rowland that declared Sept. 25, 2002, as John T. Downey Day. Judge Pellegrino also read a letter from Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell.

"Judge Downey has been an exemplary role model for so many people in our state'scourthouses,'' the Lieutenant Governor wrote. "He has demonstrated leadership on the bench and beyond, and has proven to many Connecticut youths that judges can be caring and compassionate. It is appropriate then that the State of Connecticut adds his name to this courthouse. The name of Judge John T. Downey will bring a level of trust, a level of fairness, and a level of understanding to all who enter this building. His name will continue to be synonymous with justice in Connecticut."

Former Governor William A. O'Neill appointed Judge Downey to the bench in 1987, and he became Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Matters in 1990. Judge Downey served in that capacity until 1997, when he elected to take Senior status.

Among the accomplishments of which he is most proud is the introduction of alternative dispute resolution into the juvenile justice system. For that effort, Judge Downey in May 1995 received the Robert C. Zampano Award for Excellence in Mediation.

He is a member of the New Haven County Bar Association and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He is a former member of the Legislative Task Force on Combating Drug Problems Among Children and Juveniles, the Connecticut Bar Association Children and Law Committee, as well as the Committee on Liaison with the State Courts. He also has served as a member of the Rules Committee of the Superior Court and was a member of the Advisory Committee to the Office of the Child Advocate. In 2001, Children in Placement created the John T. Downey Award. The first recipient of this award was Judge Downey.

Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Downey was in private practice. He also served as Connecticut's Secretary of Business Regulation and, for two terms, as Chairperson of the Public Utilities Control Authority.

After graduation from Yale University in 1951, Judge Downey joined the Central Intelligence Agency. While on a CIA mission over China in November 1952, his plane was shot down and he was captured. Judge Downey then spent the next 20 years in Chinese prisons. Between the efforts of Judge Downey's mother, Mary Downey, and President Richard Nixon, Judge Downey was released and returned to the United States in 1973. Three years later, he graduated from Harvard Law School.

In 1998 Judge Downey was awarded the CIA Director's Medal for his service to his country.

For further information, please contact Rhonda Stearley-Hebert at 860-757-2270.