[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E513-E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MRS. MARY FOLEY REILLY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 2010

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mary Foley 
Reilly of Spring Lake, New Jersey. Mrs. Reilly will be honored as the 
2010 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce 
at a celebration on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Her reception of this 
prestigious honor is well-deserved in light of her contributions to the 
retail business community in Spring Lake and the greater Monmouth 
County area.
  Mrs. Reilly owns and operates The Irish Centre, a destination store 
at the Jersey Shore that has specialized in the sales of Irish 
merchandise for the past thirty years. The Irish Centre, now located at 
two separate locations in the Irish-dominated town of Spring Lake, is 
known for dealing in high end, ``heirloom quality'' merchandise. As an 
active entrepreneur, Mrs. Reilly hand selects much of the merchandise 
in her store, and specializes in handmade, authentic Irish products. 
Her achievement as a successful businesswoman brings great pride and 
joy to Spring Lake Township and the State of New Jersey.
  Mrs. Reilly has also made great strides in bringing our Irish-
American citizens closer to their ancestral homeland. Over the years 
The Irish Centre has sponsored concerts, lecture series, fine art 
shows, and readings run by the finest Irish talent. Furthermore, Mrs. 
Reilly has continuously supported and publicized numerous parades, 
festivals, and fundraisers in promotion of Irish heritage. Her attempts 
to remain connected with her ancestral homeland

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helps to preserve the Irish heritage in our culturally diverse state 
and nation.
  Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in 
congratulating Mrs. Reilly for her reception of the 2010 Citizen of the 
Year recognition, and also for her leadership and service to the Irish-
American community.

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