[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E346-E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JUDGE THOMAS WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2010

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Judge Thomas Ward for his remarkable work with the Hibernian Society 
and outstanding service to the citizens of Baltimore, especially within 
our Irish community.
  Ward, a native Baltimorean, began his career in civic duty as a 
Member of the Baltimore City Council in 1963, during which time he 
sponsored legislation to create The Parking Lot Act, the Architectural 
and Historical Commission, and a tree planting program that resulted in 
the implantation of over 25,000 trees.
  A graduate from Georgetown University, the University of Maryland 
School of Law, and The Johns Hopkins University Graduate School, Judge 
Ward spent an illustrious 29 years practicing law as an attorney and 
another 15 years presiding as a judge, where he was known as one of the 
hardest working judges on the Baltimore Circuit Court.

[[Page E347]]

  When the people of Ireland immigrated to Baltimore, many of them 
found employment with the B & 0 Railroad. Judge Ward was so inspired by 
the gritty hard work of these immigrants that he wanted to find an 
appropriate way to honor them. In the late 90s, he helped begin the 
Railroad Historical District Corporation after he was approached to 
help repair 5 alley homes along Lemmon Street, commonly referred to as 
the ``Lemmon Street Five.'' Ward rallied historic preservationists, 
raised money, recruited volunteers, and faced the difficult task of 
restoring dilapidated 160-year-old buildings. With his steadfast 
determination and desire to better his community, Judge Ward saw the 
completion of the ``Lemmon Street Five'' in 2002. Of the five Lemmon 
Street houses, two developed into the Irish Shrine and Railroad Workers 
Museum, which pays tribute to the Irish immigrants who started new 
lives in Baltimore during the Great Famine of 1845-50.
  As a member of the Hibernian Society of Baltimore, Judge Ward 
continues to provide charitable assistance and advice to immigrants 
from Ireland. Judge Thomas Ward greatly deserves the title of Hibernian 
of the Year for his exceptional work within their organization.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Judge Ward, 
an exemplary citizen of the State of Maryland and commendable member of 
the Hibernian Society.

                          ____________________