[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 24, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H4598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
               HONORING DICK HORIGAN ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very dear friend, 
Dick Horigan.
  Richard hails from my hometown of Amsterdam, New York. Dick turns 90 
on Friday, and it is worth noting this milestone because he has 
epitomized the generosity, humility, and dedication of the World War II 
generation, and he has made Amsterdam a better place as a result.
  Richard T. Horigan wasn't born in Amsterdam, nor did he grow up 
there. In horse racing terms, a sport he continues to enjoy at the 
nearby historic Saratoga Race Course, Dick was a ``shipper'' from 
Scranton, Pennsylvania.
  After serving in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II, he 
enrolled in Georgetown University. On a blind date, he met Marie 
Smeallie, the beautiful daughter of Donald and Agnes Smeallie of 
Amsterdam, and they were married shortly thereafter. Upon Dick's 
graduation from Georgetown law school, Marie convinced him to move to 
Amsterdam and begin his law practice there.
  Since 1951, Dick has been a pillar of our community. Retired now, he 
was very active in the American Bar Association and the American 
College of Trial Lawyers. Dick was the consummate attorney and a leader 
in his field. He was the village attorney for nearby Hagaman, and 
practiced before the United States District Court, the Northern 
District of New York, and the United States Court of Appeals.
  In the 1970s, he struck out on his own, and his son, Tim, joined him 
to start Horigan & Horigan, which continues to be one of the top firms 
not only in Amsterdam, but throughout New York's greater capital 
region.
  While his love of his profession is strong, his love of family is 
even stronger. When Marie passed away in 1977, he found himself 
spending more and more time with Ellie Smeallie, who had been widowed 
many years earlier. In 1979, Ellie and Dick were married. This good-
looking couple merged two great families and brought them even closer 
together.
  Dick is the patriarch of 13 children, 33 grandchildren, and, yes, 3 
great-grandchildren. While many of them live outside of the region now, 
they all come back to visit, especially in August, when the historic 
Saratoga Race Course is open.
  In addition to horse racing, his other passions include golfing and 
helping St. Mary's Catholic Church, where I would often see him at mass 
in the mornings.
  We wish a happy 90th birthday to Richard Horigan. I hope there are 
many more to come, Dick. You are a beloved, reliable patriarch of an 
awesome clan. You are a respected, loyal friend to countless many, 
including myself.
  My message here on the House floor is: To a great man, have a great 
day. It is my honor to recognize your 90th birthday.

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