State Sen. John Yudichak applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee's unanimous vote to recommend the confirmation of Judge Correale F. Stevens to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.

Stevens, a former Luzerne County district attorney, county judge and state representative, most recently served as the president judge of the state Superior Court."I have known Judge Stevens for nearly two decades and in that time I have come to greatly admire the depth of his personal character and the expanse of his professional experience," Yudichak said. "Judge Stevens has been one of Northeastern Pennsylvania's finest leaders throughout the years and he will bring the talents of a legislator, district attorney, county judge and president judge of the Superior Court to Pennsylvania's highest court."Pennsylvania law requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to confirm a nominee to the Supreme Court. A Senate vote on Steven's appointment is expected to take place within the next few days.Stevens was nominated by the administration to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Joan Orie Melvin.