[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TOM TRACY: DISTINGUISHED IRISH-AMERICAN LEADER

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the honorable 
achievement of a good friend and fellow Irish-American, Tom Tracy. Tom 
recently received the 1996 Distinguished Leadership Award by the 
American Ireland Fund. The award acknowledges an American of Irish 
heritage whose lifetime accomplishments personify the spirit of the 
Irish immigrants who contributed to making our Nation the greatest in 
the history of mankind.
  I am especially proud of Tom because I share his Irish roots. I value 
my ancestry because it has given me a feeling of being connected to a 
long history of a people in love with life. The Irish have suffered 
mightily through history, but the essence of life is to persevere and 
conquer the challenges that life presents. Irish-Americans like Tom 
Tracy have excelled at that task.
  Tom has been associated with about 28 Irish-related organizations, 
including many devoted to achieving peace in Northern Ireland. Over the 
last 5 years, Tom has spent much time and money trying to work towards 
that peace.
  I also share one of Mr. Tracy's other passions: our Catholic Church. 
We have both been dedicated to strengthening and protecting the church 
and our particular dioceses. Mr. Tracy has been deeply involved in the 
Diocese of Orange, CA, where he has served on key committees and 
numerous other Catholic organizations, including the effort to gain 
sainthood for Father Junipero Serra.
  I thank Tom for his many contributions. He honors all Irish-Americans 
for his dedication and his good will.

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