Scott Garrett: “I rise today in memory of a man who dedicated his life to public service and once sought to become a Member of this…”

“I rise today in memory of a man who dedicated his life to public service and once sought to become a Member of this House as well. Mr. Speaker, the people of Bergen County and the rest of New Jersey lost a dedicated public servant, a devoted father and husband and family man and a friend of mine when Jim Sheehan lost his battle to cancer. Mr. Sheehan spent the majority of his career in public service. He worked for a while for the people of Bergen County for a period of time. In 1976 and 1978 he was the Mayor of Wyckoff, and after that he became a freeholder, from 1991 to 2002, the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Bergen County. After serving as freeholder for the county, he took on the very difficult task of being the chairman of the Republican party in Bergen County. Bergen is the last largest Republican organization in the State of New Jersey, and though he worked very hard and tirelessly strengthening the party of Lincoln, he did so while remaining friends and having the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. So, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the 5th Congressional District, particularly the folks over in Bergen County, I offer my prayers and condolences to the friends and family of Jim Sheehan.”