WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES NOMINATION OF STEVEN T. O'NEILL TO JUDGESHIP IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

HARRISBURG, June 12, 2002 - - State Senator Connie Williams today announced that Steven T. O’Neill, Esquire has been nominated as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, to serve until January 2004.

O’Neill yesterday received favorable consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the nomination will now go to the Senate floor.

"I am confident that my colleagues will share my confidence for Steven O’Neill’s integrity, intelligence, and temperament and give him the courtesy of a full-Senate vote," Williams(D-Montgomery/Delaware) said.

The Senate has 25 calendar days to confirm O’Neill. A two-thirds majority vote will be necessary for his confirmation.

O’Neill stated yesterday that he will stand for re-election if appointed.

O’Neill has been the Montgomery County Solicitor for over two years. Prior to that, he was a partner at two different law firms in Norristown. O’Neill has also has been a Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Upper and Lower Merion Townships and was the Assistant District Attorney for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. He is a lifelong resident of Lower Merion Township.

"I hope for speedy and favorable consideration by the Senate so that we can alleviate the growing backlog of cases in Montgomery County," Williams said.