[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GEORGE J. HOMCY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
work of an outstanding individual, Mr. George J. Homcy, President of 
the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce. On Wednesday, May 7, 
2002 he was honored at a dinner commemorating his career of service.
  It is only fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record 
of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for his steadfast 
leadership in fostering economic growth in our region.
  George Homcy's distinguished professional career began as a reporter 
with the Paterson Evening News in the late 1940s. He later moved to the 
American Forces Network as a journalist and broadcaster, covering 
American troop actions from the ground in Frankfurt, Munich, and 
Bremerhaven, Germany.
  Upon his return home, George began twenty years as a reporter and 
eventually editor with the Herald News, located in Passaic, New Jersey.
  In 1974, George Homcy began his work promoting the interests of the 
New Jersey business community. From 1974 to 1979, George serve as 
Executive Vice President of the Clifton Chamber of Commerce. In 1980, 
through the foresight of George and others, the Clifton Chamber merged 
with the Passaic Area Chamber. As President of this newly formed 
organization, George continued the Chamber's growth by engineering 
another merger with the Passaic Valley Chambers of Commerce, forming 
the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, everyone in the chamber knows that small businesses have 
been the backbone of our nation's economy for over 200 years. George's 
stewardship of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce has had an enduring 
impact on numerous New Jersey small businesses.
  George J. Homcy's commitment to improving the lives of those in his 
community extends far beyond his work with the Chamber of Commerce. A 
board member with the United Way of Passaic Valley, the Boys' and 
Girls' Club of Clifton, and Saint Mary's Hospital in Passaic, George 
has touched countless lives. I am far from the first person to admire 
George's talent, as the New Jersey Supreme Court appointed him to the 
Passaic County District XI Ethics Committee.
  While his retirement as President of the North Jersey Chamber will 
cause great sadness, it also is a time for celebration, as all those 
touched by George will honor him. I can say without hesitation that I 
am proud to represent George Homcy in Congress, but more importantly, I 
am honored to call him my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the North Jersey 
Regional Chamber of Commerce, George's family and friends, and me in 
recognizing the outstanding and invaluable efforts of George J. Homcy.




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