[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 18 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF JOE AND EILEEN COATAR

 Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Joseph 
and Eileen Coatar, two long-time constituents of mine, who celebrated 
the truly momentous event on February 2, 1996--their golden wedding 
anniversary. Their 50 years of marriage, a demonstration of their 
strong commitment to each other and their seven children, can serve as 
an example to us all.
  Joe Coatar and Eileen Prendergast grew up in warm, close-knit 
families, who lived in adjoining parishes on the South Side of Chicago. 
They began dating in high school: Eileen attended Mercy High School, 
while Joe went to Tilden Technical High School, where he is a member of 
the alumni hall of fame. His athletic prowess earned him all-city 
honors for football in 1937. He then attended Notre Dame on football 
and baseball scholarships, well before the Bo Jackson era. Eileen was 
his No. 1 fan. Joe left school in 1940 to play left field for the 
Chicago White Sox. He was then called to serve our country in the U.S. 
Army from 1943 to 1945, then returned to Chicago to marry Eileen, the 
girl next door, on February 2, 1946, in St. Martin's Church in Chicago. 
They have seven loving children: Mary Jane, Bernadette, Joan, Joseph, 
Eileen, Dennis, and Genevieve. They also have 15 treasured 
grandchildren.
  Joe served his city as a Chicago police officer immediately after his 
military service. He then did management consulting work for a number 
of firms, and finished his career with a 12-year stint at Blue Cross/
Blue Shield. He was also civic-minded, somehow finding time to serve 
two terms as Park Forest South Village trustee, one term as a Monee 
Township trustee, and 20 years as a Democratic precinct committeeman 
for Will County.
  In 1972, after raising seven children, Eileen continued her motherly 
role working with students at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago 
Heights. She continues to work there, at the age of 78, and will soon 
be inducted into their alumni hall of fame in recognition of her long-
time dedication to Marian's students. She served as president of the 
Mothers' Club twice, and volunteered in the library, before becoming a 
well-loved member of the cafeteria staff almost 25 years ago.
  Joe and Eileen renewed their vows at their parish church in 
Flossmoor, Infant Jesus of Prague, this Saturday, surrounded by friends 
and family. We talk a lot about family values here in Washington. Joe 
and Eileen don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Their lives 
epitomize the values that make this country such a special place. I 
congratulate the Coatars on their 50th anniversary, and I wish them 
many more years of happiness together.

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