[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9621-S9622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONNECTICUT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE T. CLARK HULL

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Connecticut's most colorful and witty politicians, Connecticut State 
Supreme Court Justice T. Clark Hull. Known for his penetrating 
intelligence and passion for justice--and perhaps better known for his 
warmth and good spirit--T. Clark Hull, had the rare distinction of 
serving at the top levels of all three branches of state government--
executive, legislative and judicial.
  Born in Danbury, CT in 1921, T. Clark Hull attended many prestigious 
academic institutions including Philips Exeter Academy, Yale University 
and Harvard Law School, and yet he always retained the perspective of a 
common man.
  His political career spanned some 33 years, beginning with his 
election to the Connecticut State Senate in 1962. He was known as a 
liberal Republican who charmed many conservatives, and his Irish humor 
and zest for public service eventually earned him the

[[Page S9622]]

nomination for Lieutenant Governor in 1970. He went on to win the 
election as the running mate of Thomas J. Meskill and served until his 
appointment to the Connecticut Superior Court. After serving for 10 
years, he was nominated by Governor William A. O'Neill to the Appellate 
Court and served for 4 years before becoming a justice on the highest 
court in Connecticut on September 25, 1987.
  Justice Hull's political career earned him the reputation for being a 
gifted writer and captivating speaker and a colleague once said his 
decisions would ``forever enrich the literature of the law.'' Justice 
Hull had great aspirations for the people of Connecticut and was one of 
the few politicians who managed to be well-liked on both sides of the 
aisle. Throughout his illustrious career, he maintained an optimistic 
activism that continually propelled the interests of Connecticut and 
its people forward. Justice Hull was a dedicated public servant who 
``had an enthusiasm for public office that was contagious.''
  Justice Hull was a champion of the people and was one of the few to 
truly believe that government and politics should be ``positive, 
energizing celebrations of life.'' Although he was small in stature, T. 
Clark Hull's charming personality and exuberance for serving the public 
made him a giant in the eyes of others. Upon retiring from the State 
Supreme Court in 1991, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 
70, Justice Hull continued to serve the public as a State referee and 
as co-chairman of a commission to study government efficiency. The 
commission made many recommendations to streamline government, and 
under the chairmanship of Justice Hull, Connecticut underwent the 
biggest reorganization in state government in nearly two decades.
  T. Clark Hull has doubtless had a distinguished career. While he 
gained prominence as a life-long Connecticut politician, Justice Hull 
gained the respect of his colleagues and the general public for his 
good humor, exuberance for life, and his love of public service. The 
people of Connecticut are truly blessed to be able to call T. Clark 
Hull one of their own.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Betty Jane, and his three 
sons Steven, Josh, and Treat.

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