Basking Ridge Resident Honored
Honorable B. Thomas Leahy recognized for 30 years of service

PRINCETON – Judges, juvenile justice professionals, members of the Juvenile Justice Commission and other well-wishers gathered recently at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s official mansion, to honor the Honorable Thomas B. Leahy for his 30 years of service to the New Jersey Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee.

"Judge Leahy has dedicated many years to helping children and their families," said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. "Under his leadership, the JJDP Committee has undertaken critical projects such as those that examine the disproportionate representation of minority juveniles in the juvenile justice system and alternatives to juvenile detention. His passion and commitment to troubled young people have led to significant changes in the juvenile justice system for which New Jersey will always be grateful."

Held at Drumthwacket on September 27, the reception for Judge Leahy was paid for privately. Judge Leahy has been chairman of the JJDP Committee since 1992.

The reception drew more than 50 leaders in the field of juvenile justice -- including current and former members of the JJDP Committee – members of the JJC and judicial colleagues of Judge Leahy from vicinages encompassing Somerset, Union and Mercer counties.

The JJC is the designated state agency responsible for administering federal delinquency prevention grant funds. The agency works with the JJDP Committee, which acts as New Jersey’s State Advisory Group, to identify appropriate programs and services, award funding on a competitive basis, and monitor the success of those programs. In the past year, the JJDP Committee has awarded more than $2 million in federal grants to state and local agencies. Programs that receive funding work with young offenders, their families and at-risk communities to reduce risk factors associated with delinquency. Programs that demonstrate success are eligible for continued funding for a maximum of three years.

In addition to this work with the JJDP Committee, Judge Leahy also served as chairman of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) in 2001. CJJ is the national coalition of State Advisory Groups appointed by the various state governors pursuant to the JJDP Act. Judge Leahy served as a Judge of the County Court in Somerset County from 1969 until 1978, and as a Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court from 1978 through 1991.

Judge Leahy and his wife, Mary, reside in Basking Ridge.

For more information on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com