[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E216-E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF GRAND MARSHAL MARYANN CONNELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2002

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the 
many accomplishments of Grand Marshal Maryann Connelly. The St. 
Patrick's Parade Committee honored her on Sunday, February 24th, 2002, 
at the annual brunch at the Hi-Hat Caterers in Bayonne, New Jersey.
  Maryann Connelly is the Principal at the Philip G. Vroom Elementary 
School in Bayonne, New Jersey. She has been employed

[[Page E217]]

by the Bayonne Board of Education for the past ten years as a teacher 
and guidance counselor.
  She is an active volunteer in a variety of organizations: she was the 
first female President of Ireland's 32 in 1992; elected by Ireland's 32 
as the first ``Irishwoman of the Year'' in 1985; elected to Bayonne St. 
Patrick's Parade Committee and was the first female Chairperson elected 
in 1991; and is currently serving her eighth consecutive term as the 
General Chairperson. She raised funds for the Hudson County March of 
Dimes; is a member of the Art Auction Committee for the Bayonne 
Hospital Foundation; and co-hosts a weekly Irish-American radio show.
  Mrs. Connelly received the State of New Jersey Governor's Teacher 
Recognition Award in 1992; became a member of Who's Who Among American 
Teachers in 1996; was recognized as Outstanding Community Leader from 
Ireland's Civic Organization in 1999; and was awarded the New Jersey 
Heritage Award in 2001.
  Maryann Connelly earned her Bachelors and Masters of Arts degree from 
New Jersey City University.
  She is married to Philip Connelly and is the proud mother of Kevin 
Patrick.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Grand Marshal 
Maryann Connelly for her contributions towards cultural understanding 
and the education of our youth. We are pleased to have her play such an 
important and positive role in the community of Bayonne, New Jersey.

                          ____________________