[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOROUGH OF EAST NEWARK

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 1995

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Borough of 
East Newark, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. 
Although East Newark is small in size, the residents are known for 
their big hearts.
  Once a part of Kearny, East Newark broke away in the spring of 1895 
to become an independent borough. The vote was cast for incorporation 
on July 2, 1895, and the new borough, just 64 acres in area, became the 
smallest community in the State of New Jersey.
  Two of the early industries in East Newark were the Clark Thread Co. 
and the Clark Mile End Spool Cotton Co., the largest thread mills in 
the United States at the time. The companies became Englehard 
Industries in the early 1930s. The area is now home to the East Newark 
Industrial Center, which houses over 80 corporations in the garment 
industry.
  With its industries in place, East Newark began to build its 
community. The East Newark Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 
October 1895, and the East Newark Police Department was established a 
month later. Today, both are still in place, 100 years after they were 
first established to provide for the protection of life and property. 
East Newark's first public school was built in 1896, and still serves 
children from kindergarten to eighth grade.
  The first church established in the borough was St. Anthony's Roman 
Catholic Church, the congregation originally founded in 1901 by 
Italians who moved from West Hoboken. While the original church was 
destroyed by fire in 1935, it was soon rebuilt and still serves the 
community today at the same site on Second Street.
  In many ways, East Newark's history continues to influence the 
present. Current Mayor Joseph R. Smith is a descendant of John C. 
Smith, one of the original petitioners in the effort to establish the 
borough. I would like to salute Mayor Smith, Council President Walter 
Roman, Councilman Hans Peter Lucas, Councilman William Lupkovich, 
Councilman Frank Madalena, Councilman Robert Rowe, and Councilman 
Charles Tighe for continuing a tradition of excellence in community 
service.
  While the past century has seen monumental changes in the face of the 
community, East Newark remains an example of smalltown pride and big-
spirited determination. With a population of only 2,200, East Newark 
proves that you do not have to be big in size to make a big 
contribution. Please join me today in celebrating the 100th anniversary 
of this little metropolis, which continues to forge its own path on the 
road to a new century.

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