[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MR. RON STARK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2010

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ron Stark of 
Middletown, New Jersey. Mr. Stark will be honored as the ``2010 
Irishman of the Year'' by the Monmouth County, New Jersey Division, 2nd 
Division, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This prestigious honor is 
well-deserved in light of his tremendous contributions to the 
organization's continued efforts to preserve Irish culture in the 
United States. The Ancient Order of Hibernians works tirelessly to 
connect those individuals of Irish origin who are generations removed 
from their ancestral homeland to Ireland.
  As a member of Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the 
past twenty years, Mr. Stark has been actively involved in preserving 
Irish music through his participation in various bagpiping 
competitions. Mr. Stark began playing the bagpipe in 1997 and has 
competed as a Grade 4 Senior Soloist, and with a Grade 5 band which won 
4th place in a 2001 competition. This achievement helped the band 
receive a Grade 4 upgrade from the Eastern United States Pipe Band 
Association. Mr. Stark has piped with fellow AOH members at various 
Hibernian functions over the years, and is now involved with a group of 
dedicated AOH members who are looking to form a Division 2 Bagpipe 
band. His achievements as a successful bagpiper serve to further 
preserve the Irish heritage in our culturally diverse state and nation.
  Mr. Stark has also made great strides in bringing our Irish-American 
citizens closer to their ancestral homeland. During a 2004 trip to 
Ireland, he played the bagpipe during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 
Galway City with his sons, Daniel and Liam, and met with extended 
family members who still live on the same land where his grandfather 
was born. His attempts to remain connected to his ancestral homeland 
help to foster American-Irish cooperation, and will help preserve the 
presence of Irish culture in the United States, which is important to 
millions of Irish-American citizens.
  Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in 
congratulating Mr. Stark for his reception of the ``2010 Irishman of 
the Year'' recognition, and also for his leadership and service to the 
Irish-American community.

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