[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E288-E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING RITA FOLEY HALPIN ON HER 92ND BIRTHDAY

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2013

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the 92nd birthday 
last week on March 5th of Rita Foley Halpin of Glenview, Illinois. Rita 
is one of the few surviving Americans who can say that her grandfather 
fought

[[Page E289]]

in the Civil War. Captain Patrick Foley, an immigrant from County 
Kerry, Ireland, served in the 23rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
(``the Irish Brigade''), fought under General Philip Sheridan in the 
last major Civil War battle, the siege of Petersburg, and was present 
at Appomattox Court House for the final surrender.
  Rita's father, Dr. Thomas P. Foley, was a past President of the 
Chicago Medical Society. Following in the footsteps of her mother, 
Elizabeth Hannon Foley, Rita graduated from Chicago Teachers College in 
1943 and started her career as a kindergarten teacher in Chicago public 
schools.
  Rita's husband, the late Thomas J. Halpin, to whom she was married 
for over sixty-two years, was a captain serving with the 88th Infantry 
during the liberation of Rome in World War II. Her grandson, Sean R. 
Halpin, continues the family tradition of military service as a first 
lieutenant in United States Forces/Korea.
  Rita raised four children and then returned to teaching where she was 
an elementary school teacher at St. Paul of the Cross School in Park 
Ridge, Illinois for almost two decades. She is still fondly remembered 
by her many pupils.
  For historical purposes, I submit this statement to be made part of 
the Congressional Record in honor of Rita Foley Halpin and the 
contributions that she and her family have made to this country.

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