[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WAYNE R. BRYANT, THE HONORABLE RICHARD H. 
             BAGGER, THOMAS P. GIBLIN, AND T. JOSEPH SEMROD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
Honorable Wayne R. Bryant, senator of the 5th district, the Honorable 
Richard H. Bagger, assemblyman of the 22d district, Thomas P. Giblin, 
president of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 58, 
and T. Joseph Semrod, chairman and CEO of Summit Bancorp. These 
individuals were all honored on Tuesday, October 14, 1997, by the New 
Jersey Society for Environmental and Economic Development [NJ SEED] and 
each is tremendously deserving of this recognition.
  Senator Wayne Bryant and Assemblyman Richard Bagger are receiving the 
organization's legislative award.
  While in the legislature, Wayne sponsored a series of welfare reform 
initiatives, signed into law in 1992, designed to foster family 
formation and require personal responsibility through education and 
employment. He was also sponsor of legislation which created the Thomas 
H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden and the transportation 
trust fund. He is a graduate of Haddon Heights High School and Howard 
University and received his bachelor of arts degree in political 
science in 1969. Wayne studied law at Rutgers University in Camden, 
receiving his juris doctorate in 1972, the year of his admission to the 
New Jersey bar.
  Assemblyman Richard H. Bagger was born March 27, 1960, in Plainfield. 
Richard is a 1982 graduate of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson 
School of Public and International Affairs. He received his juris 
doctorate degree from Rutgers Law School in 1986. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1986 and is a corporate manager with Pfizer, Inc.
  Richard served as mayor of Westfield in 1991 and 1992. He also served 
on the Westfield Town Council from 1984 to 1990 and on the Westfield 
Planning Board from 1987 to 1992, serving as chairman in 1990. He is 
serving his third term in the assembly and is the sponsor of more than 
50 laws, including measures concerning economic development, energy 
policy, civil justice reform, education, state budgeting, and local 
government.
  Thomas P. Giblin, of Montclair, NJ, was elected New Jersey State 
Democratic Chairman in June 1997. His party service also includes 
serving as chairman of the Essex County Democratic Committee since June 
1993, performing as a delegate at the 1996 Democratic National 
Convention in Chicago, IL, and being an alternate delegate to the 1984 
and 1988 conventions. He was also a member of the New Jersey electoral 
college.
  Tom served for 10 years as a member of the Essex County Board of 
Chosen Freeholders and served as president during 1987 to 1988. He as 
elected Essex County surrogate in November 1989 and served until his 
election as Essex County Democratic chairman. Tom is president of the 
5,000 member Local 68-68A-68B of the International Union of Operating 
Engineers, AFL-CIO, headquartered in West Caldwell, NJ. As president of 
Local 68, Tom also serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the 
union's pensions, welfare, education, and annuity funds. He is the 
president of the Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and a 
trustee of the United Labor Agency of Essex and West Hudson.
  T. Joseph Semrod is chairman and CEO of Summit Bancorp. He is a 
respected individual throughout the banking and financial community. He 
is the recipient of a multitude of civic awards and has led Summit Bank 
through tumultuous and rapid expansion.
  Summit is a New Jersey bank and under Joe's leadership they have 
definitely prioritized New Jersey. Joe has exemplified the importance 
of being a good corporate neighbor and is indeed worthy of accolades.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the families and 
friends of Wayne, Richard, Tom, and Joe, New Jersey SEED, and the State 
of New Jersey in recognizing Wayne R. Bryant, Richard H. Bagger, Thomas 
P. Giblin, and T. Joseph Semrod's many outstanding and invaluable 
contributions to the community.

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