[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E600-E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO CARMELA ``MEL'' CURRIER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
Carmela ``Mel'' Currier of Passaic, New Jersey. Mel is being honored 
this evening on the occasion of her retirement after 21 years of 
service to the County of Passaic.
  Mel began her career in Passaic County in June of 1977, working as a 
keypunch verifier/operator in the Administration Building. In April of 
1979, she was transferred to the County Clerk's office in the Civil Law 
Department (Judiciary) as a Clerk Typist.
  In less than a year, Mel was put into the Criminal Part of the 
office, entering bail recognizances, forfeitures, and reinstatements of 
bail. After proving herself to be a competent worker, she was given 
more responsibility by the County Clerk. Upon taking the Civil Service 
promotional tests and coming in first in a series of these tests, Mel 
worked her way up to become Chief Docket Clerk, the position which she 
has held until her recent retirement.
  During her years prior to becoming a State worker, Mel was very 
involved in the Democratic Party. Throughout her 23 years of service to 
the Party, Mel has served as treasurer,

[[Page E601]]

vice-president, and president of the City of Passaic's Democratic 
Party. Additionally, she served as a County Committeewoman and a Ward 
leader.
  Mel will be married 37 years come this May to John Currier, who is a 
retired Deputy Chief of the Passaic Fire Department. Mel and John have 
a son, Joseph, who is classified as autistic and had to attend special 
schools and classes. Joe has since overcome many of his autistic 
tendencies, thanks in part to his mother's interest in the ``Saturday 
Group.''
  Mel is President of the Learning Disabled Young Adult Group, Inc., 
which oversees her son Joe's ``Saturday Group.'' The group's Board of 
Directors set policy, disseminate information to the public, and hold 
fundraisers and many other events.
  Mel is also very active in her church, Saint Nicholas' Roman Catholic 
Church on Washington Street in Passaic. She serves as a Eucharistic 
Minister, leads the congregation at the 4:00 p.m. mass in their Hymns 
and responses, and sings at the 11:00 a.m. mass in the church choir.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Mel's family, 
friends, and colleagues, and the County of Passaic in recognizing 
Carmela ``Mel'' Currier's many outstanding and invaluable contributions 
to our community, and in wishing her continued health and happiness in 
her retirement.

                          ____________________