[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1503]]
  PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN T. CASEY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend warm birthday wishes 
and to pay tribute to a dear friend and great man, Mr. John T. Casey.
  John will not turn 80 years old until August 17, but I want to take 
this opportunity to honor him before the House of Representatives 
adjourns for the month of August.
  As many of his friends would tell you, John is a very civic-minded 
man. He was an active member of the Town of Gardiner Democratic 
Committee for 35 years, of which he served as its chairman for 22 
years. It was in this capacity that I came to know him when I ran for a 
seat in the New York State Assembly in the early 1970s. I truly 
appreciated and valued the support and encouragement that John gave me, 
and am happy to say it was the start of a wonderful and long lasting 
friendship.
  His contributions weren't limited to the Democratic Party. John was 
equally dedicated to improving the lives of working Americans through 
the labor movement. He and I share the belief that good jobs, fair 
wages and true economic opportunity must be realized for every single 
American. This is a message that must be carried to every comer of this 
nation, and John carried this out as a member of the International 
Brotherhood of Teamsters, local #445. Not only was he a member of the 
Teamsters for almost 50 years, starting out as a shop steward, he also 
served as its president from the mid-1970's to 1980.
  John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, 
serving as a master sergeant in Holland, France and Germany during 
World War II, and is a member and past commander of the American Legion 
Post 176 in New Paltz, New York. Additionally, John also served his 
community as chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Gardiner, 
and is a life member of its fire company. This is a man who has 
dedicated himself to the betterment of the community and for that we 
will always be grateful.
  Happy birthday friend, I'm honored to share your day with you.

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