[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LEO JOHN SWEENEY JR. AND CATHERINE EILEEN CLAFFEY SWEENEY'S 25TH 
                          WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate John 
and Eileen Sweeney, who will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary 
on November 25, 2002.
  As they celebrate this milestone in their lives, they will surely 
reflect on the many changes, successes, and accomplishments they have 
experienced together over the last 25 years. Theirs is a journey of 
which they can be proud.
  Leo John Sweeney Jr. is the son of the late Leo John Sweeney Sr. and 
Isabelle Moore Sweeney, and is a lifelong Wilmingtonian. He is a 
graduate of St. Elizabeth's Elementary School and Salesianum High 
School. His wife, Catherine Eileen Claffey Sweeney, is the daughter of 
the late John J. Claffey and Alice G. Rowan Claffey, and is also from 
Wilmington. She is a graduate of St. Paul's Elementary School and St. 
Paul's Commercial School.
  John and Eileen met and began dating in early 1976 and became engaged 
in June 1977. They were married on November 25, 1977, at St. Joseph's 
on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington. They made a 
welcoming home on South Broom Street.
  A lieutenant, John has worked at the Wilmington Fire Department for 
28 years. In 1961, he played in Delaware's Annual Blue and Gold All-
Star Football Game, and, on the 25th anniversary of the Blue/Gold Game 
in 1980, John began umpiring these games. He continues to umpire high 
school football games today.
  Eileen has worked for the Catholic Diocese for 30 years and has also 
served as Publicity Chair for the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. 
In 1994, she opened an Irish Shop in the Forty- Acres neighborhood. We 
have shared many laughs together at the Irish Culture Club of Delaware 
over the years.
  Today, I congratulate John and Eileen on their 25th wedding 
anniversary. Both have shown great service and commitment to their 
family and their community. I know that their years together hold many 
beautiful memories. It is my hope that those ahead will be filled with 
continued joy and contentment. I wish them both the very best in all 
that lies ahead.

                          ____________________