[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E202-E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE 125 YEARS OF SEASIDE PARK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2023

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, more than a century ago, a 
group of enterprising self-starters, inspired by the beauty around 
them, began plans to build a park on the Barnegat Barrier Island in 
Ocean County.
  Although the harsh barrier beach sand precluded their dream of 
building a park, their desire to create a strong, spirited community 
centered around the island's natural charm succeeded with the founding 
of the Borough of Seaside Park exactly 125 years ago today on March 9, 
1898.

[[Page E203]]

  Throughout this coming year, the residents of Seaside Park are 
celebrating their 125th anniversary--a remarkable occasion for a 
thriving community that has accomplished so much over the years and has 
never lost its beauty or charm while proving to be incredibly resilient 
in the face of some unfathomable challenges.
  Today, the borough is guided by the outstanding leadership of Mayor 
John Peterson, Jr.--who has served for a total of more than 15 years--
and the diligent members of the borough council: President Matthew 
DeMichele, Frank ``Fritz'' McHugh, Gina Condos, Ray Amabile, Marty 
Wilk, Jr., and William Kraft. The Seaside Park community has so much to 
be proud of as they continue to build on their profound legacy as a 
community of neighbors who care for each other, warmly welcome tourists 
and visitors, and cherish the natural beauty of their area.
  A life-long resident of Seaside Park and true steward of its 
breathtaking beaches, Mayor Peterson has embodied the spirit of Seaside 
and has been outspoken about the dangerous threat posed by the enormous 
and rushed offshore wind projects to the Jersey Shore, our local 
environment, the livelihood of local fishermen and the tourism that is 
the lifeblood of the region. His deep care for the people and our 
community-wide love for the environment will help ensure Seaside Park 
continues to prosper well into the future.
  Seeing its enormous success today, it's important to note that 
Seaside Park had a very modest beginning--established first with only a 
small year-round population.
  Reportedly, residents hauled sand to build the first roads in the 
early days of the borough, and many families raised cattle, horses and 
chickens.
  Just a year after its founding, Seaside Park Union Church--then known 
as ``Chapel by the Sea'' was built, soon followed by St. Catherine of 
Siena Catholic Church.
  Several markets, five movie theaters, a furniture showroom, an 
automobile dealership and a blacksmith were the foundation of the 
town's commercial activity, and a small room over Franklin Harris' 
General Store on Third and Central Avenues was used as the first 
classroom for students before a one-story schoolhouse was built in 
1902.
  Seaside Park's Life Saving Service--established in 1872--played a 
significant role in the development of the barrier island with stations 
located nearly every three miles from Barnegat Inlet northward. These 
buildings later became Coast Guard stations upon the creation of the 
service in 1915, and most of them still exist and are used today for 
other purposes.
  In 1913, Seaside Park's volunteer fire department was founded, and 
its company built their first vehicle--a horse drawn hose truck. The 
large iron gong that alerted volunteers of an emergency sits outside 
the firehouse at the Municipal Complex to this very day.
  Undoubtedly, the extraordinary spirit that moved the founders of 
Seaside Park to build such a close-knit community on this beautiful 
island continues to sustain its residents, who have overcome 
unimaginable trials with incredible fortitude in recent years.
  Just a decade ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated Seaside Park, forcing 
families to abandon their homes that bore the brunt of the historic 
storm's wrath. Less than a year later, a raging fire caused by a wire 
damaged from the storm's intense flooding engulfed several blocks of 
boardwalk that had been finally rebuilt.
  Not too long after, Seaside Park came under attack in 2016 when a 
terrorist inspired by ISIS and Al Qaeda detonated a bomb along the 
route of the Seaside Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5k race. 
Fortunately, no one was injured--but the shocking explosion on the 
streets of this small town shook the community, which had suffered 
three losses in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
  Through all these tribulations and more, the residents of Seaside 
Park have bounced back with great strength and unbelievable resilience. 
Despite the years, the storms and even the terrorist threat, their 
incredible tenacity and enduring perseverance--which is the very 
foundation of their storied beginning--offers great promise for the 
future of this vibrant community for decades to come.

                          ____________________