[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CENTRAL NEW JERSEY HONORS ARTIST LAUREATE AND DEAN OF ARTISTS TOM 
                                 MALLOY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2002

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Dean 
of Artists, Mr. Tom Malloy, Trenton New Jersey's Artist Laureate, and 
his myriad of contributions to Central New Jersey's cultural heritage.
  Mr. Malloy was born in 1912 to sharecroppers in South Carolina. His 
family moved to Trenton in 1923. It wasn't until his mid-fifties, after 
a career that included work in factories and religion, Mr. Malloy 
decided to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.
  Mr. Malloy has spent the last 3 decades capturing the essence of 
Central New Jersey and in particular, Trenton. Hailed locally for his 
watercolor paintings of Trenton, he tells the City's history through 
landscapes filled with architecture, cars, and city streets. It is told 
that, on request, Mr. Malloy can recapture and replicate an item or 
event as it appeared two and even three decades ago. His astute memory 
and talent will do much to convey the history and character of Trenton 
to future generations.
  Though renowned for his artistic abilities, Tom Malloy's keen sense 
of history and purpose are what propels his spirit into the hearts and 
lives of so many. In his words, ``I'm very conscious of history. If you 
don't understand history, you don't understand who you are.'' At this 
time in our Nation's history, when we struggle to understand where 
we're going and what is happening, his words ring true. We must know 
from where we've come, to know where we're going.
  It is with great pride that I join the distinguished Mayor of 
Trenton, the Honorable Douglas Palmer, and the proud arts community, in 
honoring Tom Malloy as Artist Laureate of Trenton. This distinction is 
a most appropriate tribute to this New Jersey hero. Mr. Malloy is truly 
a treasure in New Jersey's cultural heritage. His art, as well as his 
gentle spirit, is an inspiration to all Central New Jerseyans.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, again, I rise to celebrate and honor this 
true New Jersey hero and treasure. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Mr. Tom Malloy as the Artist Laureate of Trenton, New 
Jersey.

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