[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS AND CATHERINE LAWLER OF SMITHTOWN ON THEIR 57TH 
                          WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this historic chamber to ask 
my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in paying 
tribute to Catherine and Thomas Lawler, of Smithtown, Long Island, as 
they celebrate their blessed 57th wedding anniversary today.
  I believe, as many Members of this esteemed body do, that marriage is 
the bedrock of our society, the foundation on which all of our values, 
beliefs and hopes for the future stand. So it is altogether fitting 
that we, as National leaders, should take a moment to honor Catherine 
and Thomas Lawler for the love, devotion and faith that they have given 
each other and their marriage for 57 years.
  From that blessed moment when they first met outside Morris Egan's 
store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in August of 1940, Catherine and Thomas 
have been committed to each other. That devotion was sanctified by God 
on July 16, 1941 at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn. 
Their love for each other and their faith in God has been returned to 
them many times over in the form of nine beautiful children--Thomas, 
Catherine, George, Anne, John, Mary, Theresa, Ellen and Michael.
  Their abundant blessings necessitated several moves to bigger homes, 
in order to accommodate their growing family. At one point, Thomas and 
Catherine invested in an acre of land in Smithtown, Long island, the 
place they referred to as their ``summer home.'' By 1953, they moved 
the entire Lawler family to the new house of Ledgewood Drive, where 
they have called home since.
  Wherever the Lawlers called home, their faith in God and family have 
remained firm, sustaining them in hard times--such as the tragic death 
of their daughter Mary at six months--or the many good times that 
visited this wonderful family. In the good Lord's own way, the 
blessings bestowed upon Catherine and Thomas have multiplied many 
times, not the least of these blessings being their 40 grandchildren.
  All of this demonstrates the values, caring and commitment that 
Thomas and Catherine offer their community, attributes that have served 
their marriage and have made our Long Island community an even better 
place by their example. The foundation of the Smithtown community, 
indeed all of Long Island, has been strengthened for the past 57 years 
by the love, commitment and, yes, hard work that Thomas and Catherine 
have demonstrated.
  As a community, we witness and even enjoy the many blessings and 
gifts bestowed upon Lawlers, who give so much themselves to others. It 
is through their example that all of us can truly understand the 
meaning of family values. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this entire chamber 
join me in offering our praise and heartiest congratulations to 
Catherine and Thomas Lawler on this blessed anniversary. A union as 
blessed as theirs will surely endure forever