[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF BRIDGET McGLYNN: FOR SELFLESS DEDICATION TO THE IRISH-
                     AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF BAYONNE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding woman, Bridget McGlynn, for her dedication to the Irish-
American community in Bayonne. Mrs. McGlynn, grand marshall of the 1997 
Bayonne St. Patrick's Day Parade, will be honored at a brunch on March 
2 at the Hi-Hat Caterers in Bayonne, NJ.
  Mrs. McGlynn's wondrous journey in community involvement began in her 
native Ireland. Originally from County Leitrim, she completed her 
education at nursing school in England. Upon emigrating to the United 
States in 1952, Mrs. McGlynn commenced her career as a registered nurse 
at St. Francis Hospital in New York City. Countless patients have 
benefited from Mrs. McGlynn's caring expertise over her long career.
  While Mrs. McGlynn has become a valuable member of her community in 
America, her heart is still connected to Ireland. Mrs. McGlynn has been 
active in Irish-American affairs since her arrival in Bayonne in 1954. 
In an effort to foster the Irish culture in America, she has served as 
a member of the County Donegal Association, Ireland's 32 and the Irish-
American League. Mrs. McGlynn, a charter member of the United Irish of 
Bayonne, has run an annual event to benefit the Project Children group 
for the past decade. In 1980, she was honored as the Irishwoman of the 
Year by the Irish American League.
  Family plays a major role in our esteemed honoree's life. During her 
studies at nursing school, Mrs. McGlynn met her future husband, John, 
to whom she has been married for 43 years. Within a year of entering 
this new world, Bridget and John were married at St. Henry's Church in 
Bayonne. This joyful union has produced seven children: Sean, Eileen 
Finck, Kevin, Mary Rose Van Woudensburg, Michael, Bernadette Mastowski, 
and Kiernan. Mrs. McGlynn is the tremendously proud grandmother of 12 
grandchildren: Megan, Michael and Caitlin Finck, Lauren and Cara Van 
Woudenberg, Christopher McGlynn, Aileen, Devan and Colin Mastowski, and 
Alanna, Brenda, and Connor McGlynn.
  It is an honor to have such a caring and dynamic woman residing in my 
District. Bridget McGlynn epitomizes the amiable Irish spirit at its 
best. I am certain my colleagues will join me in recognizing this 
extraordinary daughter of Ireland.

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