[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF KAREN SMITH, 20TH GRAND MARSHAL OF THE BAYONNE ST. 
                          PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karen Smith, who has 
been selected as the 20th Grand Marshal of the Bayonne St. Patrick's 
Day Parade. Ms. Smith was selected as the Grand Marshal in recognition 
of her years of dedicated service to Bayonne's Irish American 
community.
  Karen Smith was born in Bayonne, New Jersey to Philip and Frances 
O'Donnell. She attended St. Vincent's School and the Holy Family 
Academy. After receiving her BS in Nursing from the College of Mt. St. 
Joseph in Ohio, Ms. Smith returned home in 1974 and began her nursing 
career in Bayonne Hospital, where she cares for the sick to this day in 
the Endoscopy Department.
  Ms. Smith takes great pride in serving the Irish American community. 
She is a member of Ireland's 32 Club, the County Corkmen's Association, 
the Ticket and Raffle Committee for the annual New Jersey Irish 
Festival, and the Women of Irish Heritage of the Jersey Shore. She also 
works for Project Children, which promotes understanding and tolerance 
by allowing Catholic and Protestant children from Ireland to interact 
peacefully with each other while temporarily living with American 
families.
  Ms. Smith's many contributions to the Irish American community are a 
result of her great love for America, Ireland, and the community of 
Bayonne.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Karen Smith for 
being selected as the 20th Grand Marshal of the Bayonne St. Patrick's 
Day Parade.

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