[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 45 (Monday, March 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN CELEBRATION OF MARTIN J. AND ELEANOR R. KEARNEY

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 16, 2009

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge 
Martin J. and Eleanor R. Kearney for being named the Irish Couple of 
the Year by the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield, Massachusetts. 
They were awarded this deserved title on February 7, 2009 for their 
support and contributions to the club. The couple has been active with 
the club for over fifty years. Both have helped with fundraisers and 
dances. Eleanor is an avid baker for the club and Martin was a strong 
supporter of the new building fund. A reception dinner was held in 
their honor on March 1, 2009.
  Martin was born in the Great Blaskett Islands in Dingle, County 
Kerry, Ireland on December 31, 1926. Eleanor is a life-long Springfield 
resident who was born on December 17, 1932. Martin came to America in 
1951 where he soon met Eleanor. In 1953, they were married in Saint 
Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield. Martin became a member of the 
John Boyle O'Reilly Club in 1953 and now both Martin and Eleanor are 
life members.
  The John Boyle O'Reilly Club was founded in 1880. The club consists 
of dedicated Irish and Irish-Americans whose goal is to preserve and 
promote their Irish heritage. The club's motto is culture, family and 
tradition. Since March 1970, the club has been located on 33 Progress 
Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. Today, the club is very active in 
their community, awarding the John Boyle O'Reilly Scholarship every 
year to college-bound students.

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