The publication is reproduced in full below:
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.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 18
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