Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-07-20

HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK

HealthcareTaxesCrime & JusticeAgriculture

Context

On 2026-07-20, Representative Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-NJ-7) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E709] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK ______ HON. THOMAS H. KEAN, JR. of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Mr. KEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George B. Melick of Tewksbury, New Jersey, for his 90th birthday. Mr. Melick was born to George B. Melick, Sr. and Florence Rinehart Melick on August 16, 1936 at Somervile Hospital becoming the ninth generation of Melick farmers in Tewksbury. George grew up on the family farm where he still resides to this day. He learned from the strong example set by his parents about hard work, serving their faith, family, community and flag. George's father died in July 1954 when George, at 17 years old, making him head of the family and farm operation. That life-altering event resulted in George's hard work and resilience in the family business; he has worked tirelessly to find efficiencies to expand the farm. His efforts created the farm as it is today. Melick's farm cultivates over 700 acres of crops including the 120 acres of apple and peach trees that make Melick's Town Farm the largest apple grower in the state. George's upbringing led him to a lifetime of public service beginning with the Oldwick Fire Company in 1957 and as a volunteer on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment in Tewksbury Township in 1960. In 1964 he went on to be successfully elected and later re-elected to the Township Committee for six consecutive terms over 18 years. In 1978 he was elected to the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, serving 12 consecutive terms over 36 years before retiring in 2013 as the longest continuous serving Freeholder in the State of New Jersey at that time. Since his very first campaign in 1963, George Melick's message and creditability as a local public servant has never waned. He firmly believes that government should be efficient, accountable, constrained and that leaders must not be afraid to say ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate George Melick's enduring impact and legacy; I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his lifelong contributions to agriculture and public service. ____________________

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HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E709] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MR. GEORGE B. MELICK ______ HON. THOMAS H. KEAN, JR. of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Mr. KEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George B. Melick of Tewksbury, New Jersey, for his 90th birthday. Mr. Melick was born to George B. Melick, Sr. and Florence Rinehart Melick on August 16, 1936 at Somervile Hospital becoming the ninth generation of Melick farmers in Tewksbury. George grew up on the family farm where he still resides to this day. He learned from the strong example set by his parents about hard work, serving their faith, family, community and flag. George's father died in July 1954 when George, at 17 years old, making him head of the family and farm operation. That life-altering event resulted in George's hard work and resilience in the family business; he has worked tirelessly to find efficiencies to expand the farm. His efforts created the farm as it is today. Melick's farm cultivates over 700 acres of crops including the 120 acres of apple and peach trees that make Melick's Town Farm the largest apple grower in the state. George's upbringing led him to a lifetime of public service beginning with the Oldwick Fire Company in 1957 and as a volunteer on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment in Tewksbury Township in 1960. In 1964 he went on to be successfully elected and later re-elected to the Township Committee for six consecutive terms over 18 years. In 1978 he was elected to the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, serving 12 consecutive terms over 36 years before retiring in 2013 as the longest continuous serving Freeholder in the State of New Jersey at that time. Since his very first campaign in 1963, George Melick's message and creditability as a local public servant has never waned. He firmly believes that government should be efficient, accountable, constrained and that leaders must not be afraid to say ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate George Melick's enduring impact and legacy; I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his lifelong contributions to agriculture and public service. ____________________