[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE FRANK O'HARA ASSOCIATION

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
organization The Frank O'Hara Association, located in West Orange, New 
Jersey, which is celebrating its 80th Anniversary.
  Frank O'Hara came from humble beginnings in the town of Boggaun in 
Ballinamore, County Leitrim, Ireland. He was born in 1900 as one of 
fifteen children. Typical of most young Irishmen of his day, Frank 
O'Hara fought as part of the Leitrim Brigade for a free Ireland after 
the 1916 Easter uprising. He was held prisoner in Athlone barracks 
until he escaped by scaling a wall.
  Frank O'Hara immigrated to America in the 1920s with just a primary 
school education, but a drive to succeed. While working with the Hudson 
Tubes (now PATH) and Prudential Insurance Company, he opened a speak-
easy on Bergen Street, Newark. After prohibition was repealed in 1933, 
Frank O'Hara opened a tavern on Central Avenue, Newark. Later, in 1932, 
he married Louise O'Kane, a fellow native of Ireland who shared his 
deep faith and devotion to family. They became parents to nine 
children, and thirty grandchildren. Today there are now fifty-five 
great-grandchildren as well as two great-great-grandchildren, and the 
family continues to grow.
  In 1933, the Frank O'Hara Association was founded in Newark, 
organized by its first President, Raymond Mulhern, to act as an 
organization representing Irish culture and values. Frank O'Hara was 
one of the co-founders of the Newark Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 
1936. He moved his family to West Orange in 1941, and opened a tavern 
and liquor store in the Pleasantdale section of town in 1948. Frank 
O'Hara pioneered the Irish movement in West Orange and co-founded the 
Irish American Society of West Orange, which became the present Irish 
American Society of the Oranges. He also co-founded the West Orange 
Saint Patrick's Day Parade. During the 1950's, Frank O'Hara aided 
numerous Irishmen, sponsoring their entry to the United States, which 
was a requirement at the time. He actively fundraised for many years on 
behalf of Salesian Missions, and as a result of his efforts and 
contributions, a Mission Church was built in the Philippines, dedicated 
to Our Lady of Lourdes. He was a parishioner and benefactor of Our Lady 
of Lourdes Church in West Orange, as well as a benefactor for both Our 
Lady of the Lake Church in Verona and Queen of Angels Church in Newark.
  Though Frank O'Hara passed away over 40 years ago, the products of 
his life, faith, principals, and labor continue to flourish. The Frank 
O'Hara Association remains one of the oldest active Irish organizations 
in New Jersey, cultivating the strong Irish heritage and family 
traditions that Frank O'Hara and his wife Louise stood for.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Frank O'Hara Association as they celebrate their 80th anniversary.

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