[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO JERRY REGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, March 9, 1999, the Jersey Shore 
area lost one of its leading citizens with the passing of Jeremiah F. 
Regan of Oceanport, NJ. Jerry Regan was one of those individuals who 
could find time for a seemingly endless list of professional, 
community, political and religious activities, and yet still devote 
himself to his family and friends. His contributions will continue to 
be felt across the community, particularly by our young people to whom 
he devoted so much time and heartfelt concern.
  Mr. Speaker, Jerry Regan's influence was felt throughout New Jersey, 
as well as here in our nation's capital. Jerry served as campaign 
director and comptroller for the late Rep. James J. Howard, a Member of 
this body for nearly a quarter of a century. He had a longstanding 
involvement in education issues, including his service as New Jersey 
delegate to the National School Boards Association and represented 
school boards in New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District on the 
Federal Relations Network, a public school advocacy effort. He was a 
member of the Oceanport Board of Education, and adjunct professor at 
Monmouth College, and an active leader in the Monmouth County and New 
Jersey school boards associations. He was President of the Executive 
Board of the New Jersey School Boards Association from 1988 to 1990, 
and held other senior posts with the Association.
  An Army veteran of World War II, Jerry had a long and highly 
decorated career at Fort Monmouth. He was promoted to the highest 
civilian level in the Department of Defense. He also served with me and 
several of my Congressional colleagues past and present on the Save Our 
Fort Committee.
  Jerry also served on the Diocesan Education Advisory Council of the 
Diocese of Trenton. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman 
Catholic Church in Long Branch, NJ, and was active in the St. Vincent 
DePaul Society. He was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 58 in 
Oceanport for 12 years. Jerry was also a member of the Oceanport Senior 
Citizens and the Oceanport Division of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
and he served on the Public Employees Relations Commission.
  Born in Skibbereen in County Cork, Ireland, Jerry came to the U.S. in 
1932. He became an American citizen while serving in Germany with the 
Army. Throughout his life, Jerry maintained a strong devotion to both 
America and Ireland.
  My heart goes out to Jerry's wife Marilyn (Pinky) Regan, who has for 
many years done an absolutely superb job in my campaign office. I also 
extend my heartfelt condolences to their two sons and three daughters, 
six grandchildren and other relatives on both sides of the Atlantic.
  Mr. Speaker, even if I didn't know Jerry Regan personally, I would be 
proud to pay tribute to such an outstanding citizen. But, besides 
working with him on public policy matters, I was proud to call Jerry a 
friend. His passing leaves a big void in all of our lives, but the 
memory of his hard work, his generous spirit and his wonderful sense of 
humor will continue to be an inspiration for me and everyone lucky 
enough to know Jerry Regan.

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