[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING SOUTH TOMS RIVER MAYOR OSCAR CRADLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS MacARTHUR

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Mr. MacARTHUR. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I rise 
to recognize a prominent leader in my district who has gone above and 
beyond to help better our community. That man is Mayor Oscar Cradle 
from South Toms River. Through his work and his life, Oscar has greatly 
improved our community for his neighbors, friends, and all those who 
are lucky enough to know him.
  Mayor Cradle has been a resident of Ocean County for sixty years. 
Growing up in South Toms River, Oscar was a member of youth choir and 
Sunday school at Wells Chapel AME Church. After graduating from Toms 
River High School, he enrolled in Hampton Institute and studied 
mathematics. After facing issues with addiction, Oscar overcame his 
struggles and decided he wanted to focus on helping others in his 
community battle this terrible disease.
  Oscar became involved with several different organizations in South 
Toms River. With his own journey in mind, he helped create the South 
Toms River Alcoholics Anonymous, the South Toms River Narcotics 
Anonymous, and the South Toms River Neighborhood Watch Committee. But 
his work didn't stop there--he recently founded the South Toms River 
Historical Society to help preserve the history of this great town. At 
Wells Chapel AME Church, Oscar has been ordained as a Reverend and 
helped to create the church's Community Outreach Center. Additionally, 
Oscar has served his community as an elected member of the South Toms 
River Borough Council for seven terms and was elected as the town's 
mayor on November 4, 2014.
  Oscar's dedication to improving the lives of those around him is 
remarkable. Mr. Speaker, we are all blessed to know Oscar, and are 
grateful for the impact that he has made in our community. South Toms 
River would not be the same without him.

                          ____________________