[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2172-E2173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS J. MURRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, one of my more remarkable constituents, 
Thomas J. Murray of Walden, NY, is going to be honored by the Walden 
Rotary Club in a few weeks for a lifetime of devotion to his community 
and his family. I would like to take this opportunity to share his life 
story with our colleagues so that they can join us in saluting an 
outstanding American citizen.
  Tom Murray was born on August 3, 1914, in the town of Newburgh on a 
family homestead populated not only by his parents, but also by his 
three siblings, Dorothy, Anna, and Jack, by aunts, uncles, cousins, and 
other relatives. There were many adults interested in the future of 
young Tom who made certain the young man was raised on the straight and 
narrow. Tom was a student in the Newburgh school system and a graduate 
of Newburgh Free Academy.
  In World War II, Tom was drafted into the service, and served in the 
20th Air Force 58th Bomb Group as an engineer and a rear gunner on a B-
29 aircraft. The 58th Bomb Group was one of the outstanding combat 
groups of the Second World War, and Tom was instrumental as an 
executive board member in keeping their annual reunion running smoothly 
for over 40 years. To honor those who served in the Army Air Corp, the 
group commissioned an original oil painting of the B-29 which now is on 
display at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy 
at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and at the Air and 
Space Museum right down the street from the Capitol.
  In 1942, Tom married the former Helen Alice Romash, now deceased. 
Helen was from Walden, NY, about 7 miles west of Tom's home in the town 
of Newburgh. The young couple settled in Walden where Tom remains until 
this day, even after the passing of Helen a few years ago. Tom and 
Helen had two lovely children, Patricia and Dennis.
  When World War II ended, Tom went to work for the DuPont Chemical Co. 
in Newburgh. In the mid-1960's, when DuPont moved their plant to South 
Carolina, Tom went along to help set up the new plant down south. 
However, he refused to give up his Walden home and returned to check 
his home and to visit family and friends quite often during his 1 year 
in South Carolina. Tom finally decided to come back home to Walden once 
and for all.
  Tom is the personification of the community activist. A long time 
parishioner at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, he served for many 
years as an usher and was an important component in the successful 
efforts to raise building funds for the parochial school.
  Tom also served as chairman of the March of Dimes for the town of 
Montgomery, of which Walden is a part, and was in charge of the food 
distribution program for seniors and low-income families.
  Tom has also been a mainstay in the Walden Volunteer Fire Department 
for many years. He has served as an on-the-line fireman and as a fire 
policeman.
  He has served as a member of the planning committee, and thus played 
a major role in the planned growth of the village of Walden, a concept 
he has always supported.
  Tom is known in his home community and throughout his home County of 
Orange as ``Mr. Republican.'' He has never wavered in his support of 
Republican causes, and is known for his outspoken honesty. He recently 
celebrated his 30th anniversary as a Republican committeeman 
representing Election District No. 8, and from 1982 until he 
voluntarily stepped down in September of this year having served as 
chairman of the Republican Committee of the Town of Montgomery.
  Mr. Speaker, I have always considered it an honor to consider Tom 
Murray as a friend. Throughout his remarkable career, he is an 
individual who can always be counted upon for honest answers, 
penetrating questions, and

[[Page E2173]]

genuine loyalty. The Walden Rotary Club tribute to Tom is in long 
overdue.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join in applauding an 
outstanding human being, Tom Murray of Walden, NY.

                          ____________________