[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORADELL PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th 
anniversary of the Oradell Public Library. On February 7th, 1913, a 
small group of community leaders met in Oradell to discuss the creation 
of a public library. A little over two months later, these individuals 
successfully opened the public library on April 19, 1913.
   The library was originally managed by its Board of Trustees and the 
president of the board, William Zabriskie, who served in that position 
for 25 years. The board dedicated their time and efforts to ensure the 
library continued to grow and serve the community. The examples of 
generosity that contributed to the development and evolution of the 
library are numerous, but some instances demand specific mention.
   The first librarian, Marie A. Skinner, worked on a volunteer basis 
for the first three months and thereafter received a mere ten dollars 
per month for her hard work. A local carpenter volunteered his time and 
materials to build the library's first shelves. World renowned painter 
Charles Livingston Bull, an Oradell resident and an original board 
member, donated multiple works of art which reside in the library to 
this day. After ten years of occupying a room behind the local post 
office, the library moved to its own building provided by the Bellis-
Blauvelt family. Residents later donated books to increase the 
library's collection.
   A hundred years after its founding, the Oradell Public Library 
remains an exemplary model of what is possible when people come 
together for the betterment of their community. I congratulate the 
Oradell Public Library on this important and impressive milestone. It 
is an honor to represent the people of Oradell and to commend the hard 
work and personal sacrifice of so many that established the Oradell 
Public Library.

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