[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    BELMAR ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 1996

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on the afternoon of Sunday, March 3, 1995, 
the 23d Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will move through the streets 
of Belmar, NJ.
  Mr. Speaker, from its modest beginnings little more than two decades 
ago, the Belmar event has become the biggest and best-attended St. 
Patrick's Day Parade in the State of New Jersey, and one of the finest 
in the Nation. While not quite as big as the New York City parade, the 
Belmar event has steadily been attracting crowds of more than 100,000 
people, drawn from the Jersey Shore area and throughout our State, 
surrounding States and other nations, including Ireland itself. 
Thousands of marchers are expected this year, including members of 
community organizations, elected officials, marching bands, floats, 
bagpipers, and leaders of Irish-American organizations. Both the 
participants and the many spectators always have a wonderful time.
  The grand marshal this year is Mr. John F. Kelly of Sea Girt, NJ, a 
retired Elizabeth, NJ, police officer and a member of numerous 
community organizations. The deputy grand marshal is Rosemarie Plunkett 
Reilly of Belmar, the director of the Reilly Funeral Home. A previous 
grand marshal, Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas J. Powers, will again 
serve as parade commentator.
  The Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade was established in 1973 by 
members of the Jerry Lynch Social & Athletic Club. Mr. Lynch is 
credited with being the parade founder. The first parade, held in 1974, 
had club members marching in top hats and tails, followed by four 
marching bands, and numerous fire engines. That year, the crowd of 
spectators was not much bigger than the contingent of marchers. The 
first grand marshal was my predecessor, and a name well-known to many 
of the Members of this body: the late Congressman James J. Howard, a 
life-long resident of the Jersey Shore who took great pride in his 
Irish heritage. For their tireless efforts to ensure that the 1996 
parade will be another memorable experience, I wish to pay tribute to 
all of the members of the Belmar St. Patrick's Day Committee, 
particularly the chairman, Dave Stanley.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to pay tribute to the Belmar 
St. Patrick's Day Parade, a great and proud tradition of the Jersey 
Shore for Irish-Americans and people of all backgrounds.

                          ____________________