Between Felony Trials, Hon. Bruce Balter Reads The Cat In The Hat

It was a busy month for Kings County Supreme Court Justice Bruce Balter, who, in between felony criminal trials, took the time to read a children’s book to a group of elementary-school kids at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Dyker Heights branch. Hon. Balter read “The Cat In The Hat” by Dr. Seuss in honor of the late author’s birthday on March 2. 

“We were so honored when the judge agreed to participate in this year’s Dyker Library ‘Read Across America’ program,” said branch librarian Eileen Kassab (top photo, left, with Hon. Balter and children’s librarian Tulin Elcin). “His down-to-earth manner and autobiographical stories from early childhood captivated the 6-year-olds from P.S. 229’s first-grade classes. … He was wonderful!”  

Justice Balter called the event a “breath of fresh air,” especially having just presided over a trial in which a teenager was sentenced as an adult for a hate crime he committed and another case where a teacher is accused of molesting and raping an 11- and a 13-year-old. 

To read Dr. Seuss to innocent youngsters was a refreshing break from the horrific crimes that can occur involving children, Balter said. “Really for me, it was quite wonderful,” he said.

It had been an especially noteworthy week for Justice Balter, who also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award the night before. Presented by the United States President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and signed by Barack Obama, the award was given to Hon. Balter, who is a colonel in the New York Guard, at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. 

—Ryan Thompson

Brooklyn Daily Eagle