[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MR. DAVID BOLGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
an outstanding leader in our community and northern New Jersey--David 
Bolger, who celebrated his 70th birthday on August 12, 2002. On July 
31, David's many friends in the Ridgewood community held a surprise 
birthday party for David, honoring him for 70 years of accomplishment 
and contribution to our community.
  I would like not only to congratulate David Bolger on the occasion of 
his birthday but also to applaud him for his valuable leadership in 
civic and philanthropic activities.
  A resident of Ridgewood since 1966, David is an outstanding example 
of the type of person who makes Bergen County, our state and our Nation 
such a wonderful place. He exemplifies the American values that have 
made our country great. A loyal supporter of many local organizations, 
he has provided generous donations to Valley Hospital, West Bergen 
Mental Healthcare, Midland Park Ambulance Corps, and The Woman's Club 
of Ridgewood. David has also donated his time and expertise to 
community organizations, serving as a Trustee of the Henry H. Kessler 
Foundation, a Trustee of the West Side Presbyterian Church, a Trustee 
Emeritus of the Children's Aid Society of New Jersey, and an Honorary 
Member of the Midland Park Ambulance Corps. His community spirit is an 
example for us all.
  David's leadership has also been acknowledged outside the Ridgewood 
community, as he has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary 
International and Honorary Mayor of Fayette, Iowa, as well as Midland 
Park, New Jersey. Both at home and across the world, David Bolger has 
looked for ways to ``make an impact on people's lives,'' creating 
scholarships for needy students, providing medical support for a clinic 
in the British West Indies, and even donating a school bus to an 
orphanage in Haiti.
  After working his way through college in the Pittsburgh steel mills, 
David went on to become the founder and president of Bolger & Co., 
Inc., a company that has been actively involved in real estate ventures 
for more than 30 years. His corporate accomplishments are impressive: 
Director of American Progressive Life & Health Insurance Company of New 
York, Director of Deotexis, Inc., and Chairman and CEO of Farmers & 
Merchants State Bank Holding Co., Inc. Yet even with all of his other 
commitments, David still finds time to help those around him and 
remains committed to a life of philanthropy.
  David's concern for his fellow man is extraordinary. It is an honor 
to recognize David Bolger today for his remarkable leadership and 
generosity. The Ridgewood community is truly fortunate that he is 
dedicated to the qualities that have made this nation great. I am 
fortunate to call David a friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
Join me in congratulating David Bolger on his 70th birthday and 
commending him for his tremendous dedication to helping others.

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