Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Patrick Moran, who was celebrated as the Hibernian of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Monsignor Farrell Division on February 23, 2019. The Monsignor Farrell Division No. 2 Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and its founders exemplify the core principles of charity, concern for our fellow man, and commitment to educating students about the sacrifices and accomplishments of prior generations.

A Carbondale native, Pat was born on August 31, 1953 to Joseph and Margaret Moran. Pat is a graduate of St. Rose High School, Class of 1971. A veteran of the Navy, Pat worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot after discharge. He then moved to the greater Denver Area where he worked for Continental Air Lines before owning and operating his own business.

Upon his retirement in 2012, Pat returned to Northeast Pennsylvania and became active in several local community organizations. Today, he is a member of the Columbia Hose Co. and the American Legion in Carbondale. Pat's involvement with the AOH began when he joined the organization's Golf League. He became increasingly involved in volunteer efforts by the AOH. He is currently a member of Ring and Shuffleboard leagues, as well as a volunteer bartender every Monday evening and for many Division functions.

It is an honor to recognize Patrick Moran as he is named Hibernian of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Monsignor Farrell Division. I thank him for his service to his country in the U.S. Navy and his continued service to our community with the AOH. I congratulate him for receiving such an honor from his fellow brothers in the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Knights of Lithuania Council 143 as they celebrate the 101st Anniversary of Lithuania's independence. The Knights of Lithuania is an organization of Roman Catholic men and women of Lithuanian ancestry located in Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Organized on April 27, 1913, the Knights of Lithuania was originally established as a youth organization. Its mission was to unite young Lithuanians living in the United States, preserve Lithuanian culture, and restore freedom to Lithuania, which, at the time, was divided between Russia and Germany.

In more recent times, it has become a family organization. St. Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania's youth, is honored as the organization's patron. ``For God and Country,'' is the motto of Knights of Lithuania, and its members keep an appreciation of the Lithuanian language and culture alive, while also stressing the importance of Roman Catholic beliefs.

It is an honor to recognize the Knights of Lithuania as they celebrate 101 years of Lithuanian independence. I am grateful for their work preserving Lithuanian traditions for the citizens of the Greater Pittston. I wish their membership all the best as they continue their important mission.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Patti Montalbano, who will be named Unican of the Year by the UNICO National Scranton Chapter. She, along with her husband, Bob, will be honored on February 23, 2019 during the annual UNICO Charity Ball.

Patti Montalbano was born in Scranton to Alfonso and the late Lucy Coviello Giambrone. She graduated from St. Anthony of Padua Grade School and St. Paul's High School. She then went on to receive her Registered Nurse diploma from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing at the University of Scranton and a Bachelor of Science from Trinity University. Patti's hospital nursing career was spent in obstetrics, newborn nurseries, and the neonatal ICU. She then moved to community health nursing at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. She was a member of several health-related networking groups in Lackawanna and

Luzerne Counties and a part-time hospital clinical instructor in newborn care at Penn State Scranton Campus. Following 25 years of service Patti retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Health as the school health consultant, where she served over 59 school districts.

Patti joined the Ladies Auxiliary to the UNICO National Scranton Chapter in 2006 and then the Chapter proper in 2009. Patti was very committed to the work of the Auxiliary and was instrumental in its reorganization in 2011 and 2012. After serving as President of the Auxiliary for three consecutive years, she joined the Auxiliary Board of Directors and was elected its President. Patti co-chairs the Scranton UNICO Friday Bake Sale at St. Joseph's Center Summer Festival with her husband. In recognition of her extraordinary volunteerism and service, Patti received the Al Dante Award in 2012.

Patti and Bob Montalbano will be married for 50 years this November. They are the proud parents of Lori Montalbano Nozzi, who is also a dedicated member of UNICO's Scranton Chapter and the Ladies Auxiliary. They currently reside in Dunmore, Pennsylvania and are active members of St. Anthony of Padua Church.

It is an honor to recognize Patti and Bob as they jointly accept the Unican of the Year Award from the Scranton Chapter of UNICO National. May they continue to work for UNICO and the people across Northeast Pennsylvania for many fruitful years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Stanley J. Dudrick, M.D., Professor of Surgery at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Dudrick is an outstanding innovator in the medical field who has contributed to the health and survival of millions around the world through his pioneering innovations. He is recognized as one of the top 50 most influential physicians in history for his groundbreaking research. Because of his work, the lives of an estimated ten million children have been saved, and adults with a wide range of conditions have benefited.

Dr. Dudrick is best known for his development of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Also known as intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH), TPN is a specialized central venous feeding

technique and is considered a breakthrough accomplishment in the development of modern surgery. In fact, Dr. Dudrick's invention has been acknowledged as one of the three most important advancements in surgery of the past century, along with open heart surgery and organ transplantation.

In addition to his contribution to the advancement of medical practices, Dr. Dudrick is an accomplished medical writer. He has authored or co-authored works that have received 2,535 scientific reference citations, the most for any general surgeon in medical literature. Dr. Dudrick's over 700 published works address a variety of topics related to the care and management of surgical patients, especially those with complex nutritional, metabolic, critical care, and re-operative complications. Throughout his career, he has received over 100 honors and awards, including the prestigious Joseph B. Goldberger Award in Clinical Nutrition, the Brookdale Award in Medicine from the American Medical Association, and the Flance/Karl Award from the American Surgical Association. He holds honorary fellowships from prominent surgical societies on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. In 2005, he received the esteemed Jacobson Innovation Award from the American College of Surgeons to complement his 2016 recognition as one of the most historically innovative physicians.

It is an honor to recognize Stanley J. Dudrick, M.D. for all of he has contributed to the medical community throughout his career. May he continue to inspire a new generation of medical professionals and continue to transform the medical field as he serves Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bob Montalbano, who will be named Unican of the Year by the UNICO National Scranton Chapter. He, along with his wife, Patti, will be honored on February 23, 2019 during the annual UNICO Charity Ball.

Bob was born in Scranton to the late Pellegrino and Lucy DeMaio Montalbano. After graduating from Dunmore Senior High School in 1963, Bob enlisted in the Air Force. After serving four years at Bunker Hill Air Force Base in Indiana, he worked for Printcraft and Spotless Cleaners. He then worked for Emery Worldwide as the Mail and Communications Office Supervisor for thirty-three years. While at Emery, Bob was on the Board of the Northeast Postal Customer Council. During this time, Bob organized an annual golf tournament to benefit the St. Francis Kitchen in Scranton and the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.

Bob joined UNICO in 2004 and quickly became active in supporting fundraising efforts. He took over the organization of cooking the porketta for the UNICO stand during Scranton's LaFesta Italiana. Bob also served on UNICO's Board of Directors for several years, and he received the Chapter's Presidential Award in 2015 for his extraordinary service and dedication. Additionally, Bob served as a presidential aide to UNICO National President Chris DiMattio. During his tenure at this post, Bob accompanied Chris on his travels to many UNICO National events.

Bob and Patti Giambrone Montalbano will be married for 50 years this November. They are the proud parents of Lori Montalbano Nozzi, who is also a dedicated member of UNICO's Scranton Chapter and the Ladies Auxiliary. They currently reside in Dunmore, Pennsylvania and are active members of St. Anthony of Padua Church.

It is an honor to recognize Bob and his wife Patti as they jointly accept the Unican of the Year Award from the Scranton Chapter of UNICO National. May they continue to work for UNICO and the people across Northeast Pennsylvania for many fruitful years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. John Masly and his long, distinguished career spanning just over 50 years as both a civilian and as an officer in the Army Reserves. In addition to this statement of his service, he will be sent a United States flag that has been flown over our great Capitol.

On January 2 of this year, Mr. Masly formally retired from the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. He had begun his career in 1968 in the Nuclear and Fuze Division. Over the years, he was awarded several patents and published several technical reports in support of the division mission. Mr. Masly also served as Lieutenant Colonel for the Corps of Engineers in the Army Reserve. In 1984, he took a position at the Depot Systems Command Facility in Mainz, Germany. In 1993, he returned to the

ARDEC Fuze Division where supported the development and production of multiple fuze programs. Notably, he made essential contributions to warfighter battle command training exercises.

I ask that we take a moment to recognize Mr. John Masly for his exceptional life of service and his significant contributions to our nation. We should ever be grateful for men and women like him and hope that his contributions and dedication inspire others to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stephen P. Marko, who will be honored by the Knights of Columbus Council 302 during their 121st Anniversary celebration on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Stephen is the immediate past Grand Knight of Wilkes-Barre Council 302.

Stephen was born on February 25, 1971 to the late Stephen J. Marko and the former Joanne Dezinski. He is a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School Class of 1989. He continued his education at Luzerne County Community College, where he studied Electronics and Laser Electro Optics Technology. Stephen is a veteran of the United States Army Reserve and was deployed with the 365th Engineering Company C during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He is currently employed at Tobyhanna Army Depot as an Electronics Mechanic.

Stephen joined Knights of Columbus Council 302 in 2012. He served as Warden and Deputy Grand Knight of the Council and was elected to the role of Grand Knight in 2016. Following his two-year tenure as Grand Knight, he now serves as the treasurer for the council. He is also a member and Pilot of the Bishop Hafey 4th Degree Assembly.

Stephen married the former Jacqueline Cromack of Wilkes-Barre on November 25, 2000. They are active members of Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church in Hanover Township. They are step-parent and parent, respectively, to four children: Abigail, Alison, Kerry Anne, and Richard.

It is an honor to celebrate Stephen as he is recognized as Past Grand Knight. May he continue to serve the Knights of Columbus and his community with commitment and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Monroe Campus of Northampton Community College (NCC) as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. The Campus was founded by a group of educators who joined with business and community leaders to boost the region's economy by bringing NCC's signature education programs to Monroe County. First housed in a makeshift, rented space in Stroudsburg, the Monroe Campus has since met its goals to train a highly-skilled workforce and provide access to affordable, quality higher education.

After years of growth, NCC built the current Monroe Campus near a commercial corridor where students have a hill-top respite with scenic views. The Campus officially opened on Aug. 26, 2014 and soon became LEED Gold-certified for its geothermal heating and cooling system, large solar panels over the parking lots, large windows letting in natural light, and native vegetation reducing storm-water runoff. Each year, it serves 2,500 students, hosts community events, and rotates exhibits in its art gallery. NCC-Monroe recently added programs in nursing, engineering, and adventure tourism in response to regional industry needs.

I ask my fellow Members to join me in recognizing the 30th anniversary and success of the Monroe Campus of Northampton Community College. May it continue forward guided by its founders' vision of offering a quality college experience regardless of socioeconomic status and serving as a responsive tool for regional economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late coach George Curry, who was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2018. Curry was among those honored during the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame held in Plains, PA.

Coach George Curry served as a high school football coach for 46 years, during which his teams amassed 455 victories and six Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 3A championships. During his time at Berwick Area High School, Curry's teams won three mythical high school national championships based on their team record during the season. During his tenure he was twice named USA Today High School Football Coach of the Year.

Curry began his coaching career in 1967 at Lake Lehman High School in Lehman, PA. His teams achieved a winning record during his four years tenure. In 1971 he moved to Berwick, where he served until stepping down at the end of the 2005 season. It was while at Berwick that Curry's teams became a force to be reckoned with, earning six state football championships. He coached three more seasons at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, PA retiring in December 2008. Coming out of retirement he returned to Berwick Area High School as an interim head coach. He passed away on April 1, 2016.

It is an honor to recognize George's achievements and his storied career in Pennsylvania sports history and it is fitting that he should be inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. I join with the members of the Hall of Fame in recognizing the life of George Curry and in celebrating his impact on two generations of Pennsylvania's athletes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor coach Karen Klassner, who was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2018. Klassner was among those honored during the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame held in Plains, PA.

Since 1972, Klassner has served as the head coach of the field hockey team at Wyoming Seminary. She has led her teams to win six state championships, six district championships, and ten league championships. Additionally, Sem has made twenty-eight district playoff appearances (after joining the PIAA in 1985) and 14 state tournament appearances. She also led her team to victory at the Moravian Tournament eight times, most recently in 2017. Her overall field hockey coaching record is 660-171-46.

Klassner's unparalleled leadership ability has been recognized throughout her career. She was named ``Coach of the Year'' seven times, named 2006 Developmental Coach of the Year by the United States Field Hockey Association, inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009, inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and named national coach of the year in field hockey by the National High School Coaches Association in 2009. She has also dedicated her time and expertise to various service positions, including chairing the PA All-State Selection Committee from 1998 to 2009 and serving as the president of PA State Field Hockey State Coaches Association from 1998 to 2009. In addition to coaching field hockey at Sem, she currently serves as a consultant for the Keystone State Games.

It is an honor to recognize Klassner's achievements and her impressive career at Wyoming Seminary, and it is fitting that she should be inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. I join with the members of the Hall of Fame in recognizing Klassner's career and in celebrating her impact on Wyoming Seminary athletics for decades.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor athlete Abigail Peck, who was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2018. Peck was among those honored during the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame held in Plains, PA.

Peck is an accomplished athlete in rowing. She was a 5-time member of the U.S. National Team, competing in the World Championships. She represented the United States at the Olympic Games in 1984 in Los Angeles, California, and in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, where she served as team captain. She is decorated with 12 U.S. National Championship gold medals, two silver medals from the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, USSR, a silver medal at the 1987 World Championships, and six wins at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts.

Peck has been recognized for her athletic prowess by being inducted into the Northeastern Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, and in 2004, she was selected as No. 25 of NEPA Top 100 Athletes of All Time. Peck holds a bachelor's degree from Skidmore College and a master's degree from Smith College, and she created and runs free exercise programs for cancer patients.

It is an honor to recognize Peck's athletic achievements and her impressive career representing the United States on the world stage in the sport of rowing. It is fitting that she should be inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. I join with the members of the Hall of Fame in recognizing Peck's career and celebrating her many athletic achievements and her current philanthropic endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor coach Kathleen Prindle, who was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2018. Prindle was among those honored during the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame held in Plains, PA.

Prindle has excelled in the sport of swimming as both an athlete and coach. In 2011, she founded Performance Aquatics, a world-class, elite swim club for senior (ages 13+) athletes. Her unique training and business models have been adopted nationally. She has been instrumental in training swimming Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, both domestic and international athletes. She has trained swimmers to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials, and prepared athletes to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, and Rio in 2016. She also coaches at the high school level at Grandview Preparatory School in Boca Raton, FL. Additionally, Prindle founded learn-to-swim programs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.

Prindle also dedicates her time to the sport of swimming by serving as the Vice President of the American Swim Coaches Association Board of Directors, on the board of the Florida Gold Coast LSC, and on the Florida State High School Athletic Association Advisory Board. She was previously awarded the American Swim Coaches Association Fellowship in 2010, and she served on USA Swimming's Senior Development National Committee from 2012 to 2016.

It is an honor to recognize Prindle's impressive coaching achievements. It is fitting that she should be inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. I join with the members of the Hall of Fame in recognizing Prindle's illustrious career and celebrating her successes as a coach.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor coach Jack Henzes, who was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2018. Henzes was among those honored during the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame held in Plains, PA.

Henzes has been coaching football at Dunmore High School since 1971, where he led the Bucks to a Class A state championship in 1989. His record of 421 wins, 159 losses, and 8 ties positions him as the winningest active Pennsylvania coach. Under his tutelage, Dunmore has won ten district titles, including four straight titles, and the Bucks are currently the defending District 2 Class 2A Champion. Henzes was inducted to the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, made a member of the 200 Wins Club by the Pennsylvania Coaches Association, and inducted to the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009.

It is an honor to recognize Coach Henzes' impressive coaching career. It is fitting that he should be inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. I join with the members of the Hall of Fame in recognizing his illustrious career and profound impact on the Dunmore High School football program and two generations of student-athletes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, as amended. For many years, aviation has been the safest form of transportation in the United States. This is by no means an accident, it is the result of a strong regulatory framework built over time, paired with an ongoing airline system safety culture that is one of the most ambitious in our nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, when this bill first came to the House floor as H.R. 4, I strongly opposed a provision that would establish a research and development program in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft assisted with remote piloting and computer piloting, and offered an amendment striking that section. Attempts to roll back safety regulations in this manner are counterproductive and compromise safety. I am pleased to see this provision stricken from the final bill text and urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Daughters of the American Revolution, Scranton City Chapter, which celebrates, along with other DAR chapters, the two hundred thirty-first anniversary of the framing of the United States Constitution during this third week of September. The Constitution was adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation as the foundation for American government on September 17, 1787.

The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890 by a group of pioneering women who were excluded from men's organizations and felt compelled to express their passion for America. Since its founding, the Daughters of the American Revolution has admitted over 950,000 members who can trace their bloodline to an ancestor who aided America in her fight for independence, and the organization still adheres to the same historical, educational, and patriotic objectives established during its original meeting.

The Daughters of the American Revolution were instrumental in petitioning Congress for a bill to designate the period between September 17 and September 23 as Constitution Week. That legislation was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 2, 1956, and President George W. Bush officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in 2002. The law invites schools, churches, and civic organizations to publicly observe and recognize the profound impact on our nation of our remarkable constitution.

It is an honor to recognize the Scranton City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as they celebrate Constitution Week. I wish them all the best as they continue to promote patriotism and national pride through education and civic engagement.