[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S1980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      IN HONOR OF FRANK E. RODGERS, RETIRING MAYOR OF HARRISON, NJ

  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, on December 31, 1994, a very special man, 
Frank E. Rodgers, served his last day as mayor of Harrison. After 48 
years of public service, Mayor Rodgers is being honored for his life-
time commitment to the citizens of Harrison, NJ.
  Mayor Frank Rodgers won his first term as mayor of Harrison after the 
war in 1946 and began the distinguished career that would make him the 
longest-serving mayor in the history of the United States. Epitomizing 
the old adage that all politics is local, Mayor Rodgers campaigned 
door-to-door all 24 times he sought reelection and maintained an open-
door policy at town hall.
  In addition to his time as mayor, Frank Rodgers held a variety of 
elected and appointed jobs in government, including 6 years from 1977 
to 1983 as a State Senator and 10 years as a town councilman. Frank's 
service in the Army during World War II did not interfere with his 
commitment to public service; he was reelected as a councilman while in 
basic training at Fort Dix and managed town affairs through calls and 
letters to his wife and family while working as a military intelligence 
officer on assignment along the east coast.
  Diligence, dedication, and a true commitment to his constituency were 
the hallmarks of Frank Rodger's career. In his retirement letter to the 
residents of Harrison, Frank wrote, ``I believe our years together hint 
at a mutual respect and caring that goes far beyond the requirements of 
governing.'' Frank Rodgers possessed both the insight to know what it 
means to govern and the willingness to devote himself wholeheartedly to 
the task. While his retirement will be a great loss to those who have 
worked with him and for those he has served, he has left an exemplary 
legacy of excellence in public service.


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