[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 65TH BIRTHDAY OF JEREMIAH ``DERRY'' HEGARTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2000

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on April 18th, 2000, family, 
friends and admirers gathered to celebrate the 65th birthday of 
Jeremiah ``Derry'' Hegarty, as well as his 35-year love affair with his 
community, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  I have known Derry Hegarty for many years, and it is hard to recall a 
more engaging personality. He came to this country from Drinagh East, 
County Cork, Ireland in 1965 and became Purchasing Manager for a local 
manufacturing company. Just seven years later, he purchased a pub on 
Milwaukee's west side. It didn't take long for the entrepreneurial 
Irishman to put his stamp on the place.
  He transformed this small corner tavern into something closer to what 
he remembered from home. Slowly and surely, Derry's became a virtual 
community center. It is a place to go for the opening of the baseball 
season. It is a comfortable and entertaining spot to watch a Green Bay 
Packer game. Friends gather here spontaneously. Groups and 
organizations hold their meetings here. It is the site of receptions, 
fundraisers and election night parties. It is a very popular location, 
and its popularity can be traced to a factor more important than tasty 
food and refreshing beverages. Derry's is Derry.
  Behind this mild mannered, soft spoken and friendly man is an 
individual of surprising extremes. If you were to poll the people who 
know him best, you would hear nothing moderate . . . nothing halfway. 
You would hear of his seemingly tireless efforts on behalf of his 
church. You would be told of his enormous generosity of time and spirit 
in helping to bring Milwaukee's Irish Cultural and Heritage Center to 
life. You would hear of his fierce loyalty to his friends and their 
causes.
  Just as Derry's is far more than a simple corner pub, Derry himself 
is well more than a seasoned proprietor. He is a counselor. He is an 
advisor. He is a civic leader. He is a philanthropist. He is a 
confidant.
  He is one more thing, I think, that is even more important than all 
of those. He is a friend.
  They say that the ancient Norman invaders of Ireland became ``more 
Irish than the Irish.'' Derry Hegarty is more a Milwaukeean than most 
who were raised here. He is entwined in our history and has made his 
mark on our future.
  Happy Birthday, Derry, and thank you.

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