[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF ANTONE ``TONY'' OLIVEIRA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 28, 2022

  Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
the 100th birthday of Antone ``Tony'' Oliveira, a longtime resident of 
New Bedford, Massachusetts, who served our country in World War II and 
worked for the railroad industry for more than 40 years.
  Born on November 14, 1921, Mr. Oliveira grew up in New Bedford and 
briefly worked for the Soule Mill before being drafted by the Army. Six 
months into his service, Mr. Oliveira was unfortunately injured during 
weapons training and returned home, where he began his career in 
railroading. Mr. Oliveira worked for New York, New Haven, and Hartford 
Railroad, which was later consolidated with other railroads and became 
Con-Rail. Stationed all over the region, Mr. Oliveira sold tickets, 
sent and delivered telegraph messages, and manned the control towers 
that operated the switches and signals on the rail. Mr. Oliveira loves 
to reminisce about his early railroading days in the postwar years when 
the railroads were extremely busy. He proudly brags that he once sold 
$50,000 worth of tickets in June of 1945.
  Mr. Oliveira was the last railroad ticket agent in the New Bedford 
railroad depot and sold the last ticket to the New Bedford-Boston 
commuter train, which ended service in 1958. In addition to working on 
the rails, Mr. Oliveira found time to volunteer for the Disabled 
American Veterans organization. In 1987, after 44 years of working for 
the railroad, Mr. Oliveira retired. When he began working, he was No. 
237 on the seniority list of the telegraphers roster. By the time he 
retired, he was No. 5.
  In his retirement, Mr. Oliveira continues to be a railroad 
enthusiast. He frequently takes advantage of his permanent Amtrak pass 
to visit his family. Mr. Oliveira is hopeful that the New Bedford 
commuter rail will reopen, and there will be a revival of the once-busy 
rail line carrying people to and from Boston. Mr. Oliveira told former 
state Transportation Secretary Richard Davey that he wanted to sell 
tickets again if the train were to reopen.
  As Mr. Oliveira celebrates his birthday with his family, I ask that 
my colleagues join me in wishing him a happy birthday and a profound 
thank you for his lifetime of service.

                          ____________________