Floor Statements

Offered by: Mr. Kanjorski

Amendment No. 15: Strike line 22 on page 290 and all that

follows through line 4 on page 293, and insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Kanjorski

Amendment No. 22: Page 300, line 24, strike ``, and'' and

insert the following: ``. The Federal Housing Enterprise

Board may recommend individuals who are identified by the

Board's own independent process or included on a list of

individuals recommended by the board of directors of the Bank

involved, which shall be submitted to the Federal Housing

Enterprise Board by such board of directors. The number of

individuals on any such list submitted by a Bank's board of

directors shall be equal to at least two times the number of

independent directorships to be filled. All independent

directors appointed''.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Sam Bianco, of Vandling, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, who was chosen by the United Way of America to receive its prestigious ``Joseph A. Beirne Community Services Award.''

Established in 1974 by the United Way of America, the award annually recognizes a union member or labor leader who has rendered outstanding service to a local United Way community.

The award is named in honor of the late Joseph A. Beirne, co-founder of the Communications Workers of America International Union and the first union member to ever serve as board president of United Way of America.

Mr. Bianco has been a staunch volunteer and supporter of the United Way of Wyoming Valley since 1955. At that time he served as a campaign solicitor at International Ladies Garment Workers Union shops. He also served as business agent for the Pittston ILGWU and, later, as district manager for the Wilkes-Barre ILGWU. He currently serves on the United Way of Wyoming Valley's board of directors, finance committee, campaign cabinet and he has chaired the labor participation committee for the past 27 years.

Under Mr. Bianco's volunteer leadership, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council and United Way of Wyoming Valley were named the 1998 recipient of the ``National AFL-CIO Model Cities in Community Services Award'' for the outstanding partnership created between the local labor movement and United Way in jointly addressing and meeting human service needs.

Mr. Bianco, as president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, has partnered with the United Way of Wyoming Valley on numerous community service projects including the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive; creating the ``Unions in the Community Girl Scout Patch'' and being a co-sponsor of the annual United Way Labor Christmas Project.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Bianco for giving his community so many years of devoted service. His contributions to the quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania are legendary as is his love of helping people in need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Ms. Kate Fanning, who has been selected as ``Woman of the Year'' by the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women.

Ms. Fanning resides on North Bromley Avenue in Scranton, PA. She is a daughter of James Fanning and the late Patricia Fanning.

She attended West Scranton High School, where she was a member of the school's marching band. Ms. Fanning graduated from Lackawanna Junior College and later from the University of Scranton where she earned a degree in criminal justice.

Ms. Fanning has been employed as a sergeant by the Lackawanna County Prison for 17 years. She is an active member of St. Patrick's Church in West Scranton, PA, where she has been a life member.

Ms. Fanning has been active in politics for many years, having helped to reinvigorate the Young Democrats of Lackawanna County 14 years ago. She has served as a Democratic committee-woman in West Scranton for many years.

She has also served as treasurer and is a veteran member of the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women.

In addition to her political volunteerism with the Democratic Party, Ms. Fanning worked tirelessly for the Scranton Tomorrow ``Winter in the City'' project.

She is also a member of the Society of Irish Women.

Ms. Fanning also enjoys her role as aunt to her three nieces, Jennifer, Erin and Ellen and her nephew, James.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Kate Fanning on the occasion of this special honor. Her commitment to community service, citizenship and volunteerism serves as an inspiration to all and deserves the singular recognition she is receiving from the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Rev. Patrick J. Sullivan, C.S.C., of King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of being named as ``Man of the Year'' by the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Father Sullivan has been lecturing at King's College since 2000 and is associated with the college's Sociology and Public Policy Research Institute.

Having earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy and American history at the University of Notre Dame in 1952, he received theological training at Holy Cross College in Washington, DC from 1952 until 1956. He received his master's degree in sociology from Fordham University in 1959 and his doctorate degree in sociology from Catholic University in 1971.

Father Sullivan has served on the faculties of the University of Notre Dame and King's College. He has taught and written extensively on subjects including labor and management in American society, the role of the Catholic Church in labor and management issues and social justice for U.S. workers.

He served as director of urban affairs for the U.S. Bishop's Task Force on race and poverty. From 1976 to 1979, he worked to gain support from the Catholic Church, groups and individuals for impoverished textile workers in the southeastern states.

From 2002 to 2004, he served as national chaplain to the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Father Sullivan has accomplished significant research on issues ranging from welfare entitlement to the history of the Josephite Fathers, a religious community begun after the Civil War to assist impoverished African Americans.

He also studied ethnic fraternal organizations and how they helped the families of coal miners in the nineteenth century before the development of strong labor unions.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Father Sullivan on the occasion of this special honor. Throughout his teaching career, Father Sullivan has cultivated a sincere love for the contributions of working Americans and the need to establish and promote social justice. He has used his research, training and passion for teaching to encourage a similar appreciation in his students. Through his teaching, Father Sullivan has enriched the lives of his students and the entire community of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Honorable Thomas F. Burke, Jr., on the occasion of being named ``Man of the Year'' by the Greater Pittston Pennsylvania Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Judge Burke serves on the Luzerne County Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, the 11th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A native of West Pittston, Judge Burke was appointed to the bench by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. He was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate. Judge Burke took office May 22, 1998, and was elected to a full 10-year term of office by the voters of Luzerne County in 1999.

Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Burke was engaged in the practice of law for 25 years and, for several years, was a partner with his brother, Atty. Joseph D. Burke, in the law offices of Burke and Burke. He served as a member of the executive committee of the Wilkes- Barre Law and Library Association.

He was also a director and president of the First Bank of Greater Pittston and served as a director of successor banking institutions.

A summa cum laude graduate of West Pittston High School, Judge Burke was inducted into the Wyoming Area Football ``Ring of Pride'' in 2005. Judge Burke is an honors graduate with a BA degree in finance from Lehigh University and he received his Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law.

Judge Burke is a veteran of the United States Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam.

Judge Burke is a former chairman of the board of trustees of Marywood University and was awarded the presidential medal from that institution in 2004. He is also a past president of the board of directors of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and he served as chairman of the board of directors of Catholic Social Services of Wyoming Valley. He formerly served as a member of the President's Council of King's College and as vice chairman of the board of directors of the Luzerne Foundation. Judge Burke served three terms on the board of directors of the United Way of Wyoming Valley and also chaired the capital campaigns for the Greater Pittston YMCA and the Salvation Army, West Pittston, where he also served as a member of the Advisory Council.

Judge Burke and his wife, Peggy, are members of the parish community of St. Casimir, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph where they serve in the Baptismal Ministry and where Judge Burke serves as a lector and as a member of the parish financial council. They are the parents of five children: Tom, a student at Harvard Law School; Bill, a student at Fordham Law School; Margy, a student at Boston College; Katey, a student at Lehigh University; and Patrick, a student at Scranton Preparatory School.

Since 1992, the Burke family has hosted students from Ireland, Japan and France.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Judge Burke on this fine honor. The enormity of his contributions to the law, his family and community speaks volumes about his dedication, stamina and commitment and serves as a shining example for others to emulate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. James F. Bannon of Pittston, Pennsylvania, who has been chosen by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Bannon was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Frank and Jule Gaffney Bannon. He received his early education at Holy Rosary School in Scranton and later graduated from Pittston High School in 1936.

He served in the United States Army before becoming associated with Bright Construction Company where he worked for 46 years as a masonry foreman. He was also a member of the Bricklayers Union No. 5, Harrisburg.

After retiring, he worked as a consultant for Reilly Associates.

Mr. Bannon also served as a member of the Pittston Area School Board.

He is a past president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and is a fourth degree member of the John F. Kennedy Council 372, Knights of Columbus, Pittston. He also served as president of the Council's Home Association.

He is currently a member of the Pittston Planning Commission.

Mr. Bannon has been married for the past 70 years to the former Frances Bright. They are the parents of two daughters, Ann Gallagher, Indiana, and Kathy Sulima, Pittston.

They also have four grandsons, five great grandsons and two great granddaughters.

Mr. and Mrs. Bannon are members of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Bannon on the occasion of this honor. Mr. Bannon's lifelong service to his family, church and community illustrate his commitment and selflessness and serve as an example for others to emulate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Dr. Thomas D. Meade, M.D., who is the recipient of the 2007 Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Dr. Meade is an orthopedic surgeon and the senior managing partner and president of OAA Orthopedic Specialists, the oldest incorporated medical group in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. He created and serves as medical director of the OAA Human Performance Center, a nationally recognized medical fitness facility with over 3,500 members. He received the 2002 Founders Award from the prestigious Medical Fitness Association for his lifetime contributions to the field of medical fitness and the Sir John Charnley A ward for Orthopedic achievement.

Dr. Meade is a 1975 graduate of Pittston Area High School where he was awarded numerous academic distinctions and still holds the high school diving record. He graduated from Penn State with High Distinction where a diving injury launched him on a career in orthopedic surgery. After nine years in Philadelphia at Jefferson Medical College and five years at Thomas Jefferson University, he traveled to Connecticut to complete a knee and sports medicine fellowship.

Dr. Meade is an avid cyclist and competitive swimmer. He has held top 10 U.S. Masters Swimming rankings and shares national and world records in men's freestyle events with fellow OAA physician, Dr. Charles Norelli.

As an author and educator, Dr. Meade has published articles and books and produced videos on sports injuries, nutrition and fitness related topics. He has also lectured extensively on those topics. He is currently the host of two popular cable television shows on orthopedic and medical issues. He also holds two academic posts at Thomas Jefferson University and Pennsylvania State University and he serves as director of orthopedic trauma residency education at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

He is a recognized expert in the field of knee ligament reconstruction, knee replacements and has developed surgical techniques and instrumentation as part of a national research and education team. The Philadelphia Eagles have retained Dr. Meade's services as a consultant for summer camp since 1998.

Last July he realized his most ambitious vision by developing a 300,000 square foot integrated health campus offering traditional and alternative therapies in a holistic environment to improve quality of life and longevity. The facility is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is a national showcase model for the future of private practice medical care.

Dr. Meade resides in Allentown with his wife and three children.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Meade on this special honor. His contributions to the field of medicine reflect his deep passion and commitment for improving the quality of life and the standards of human health care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the overwhelming majority of American people, the Congress and many top U.S. military commanders to voice my opposition to President Bush's ill-conceived plan to send more American troops into the middle of an ongoing civil war in Iraq. The President's plan, which has been attempted before on four separate occasions and failed, is simultaneously too little and too much. 21,500 troops is too little to make a difference in a city of 6 million who are unwilling to see beyond their sectarian differences, and too much burden to place on an American military already stretched to the breaking point.

Mr. Speaker, in October 2002, I voted in favor of the legislation to allow President Bush to defend the national security of our country against the stated threats posed by Saddam Hussein. In large part, I based my decision on the information I learned in several classified briefings with high-level administration officials about the capabilities of the Iraqis to deliver weapons of mass destruction to the United States.

These officials pointed to an imminent threat posed by Saddam Hussein and his potential use of unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver weapons of mass destruction to our shores. Of course, we now know that these weapons, as well as the Bush administration's claims regarding Saddam's ties to al Qaeda, were fictional. The consequences of our action, however, are quite real.

To date, the Iraq war has come at a terrible cost to the United States. More than 3,100 servicemembers have been killed and greater than 23,400 have been wounded. My home State of Pennsylvania has lost 149 soldiers and over 1,000 have been wounded. Moreover, the United States has spent almost $380 billion to date, with hundreds of billions of dollars more requested by the Bush administration.

The war in Iraq has also diverted much-needed resources away from fighting the war on terrorism and eradicating al Qaeda. The focus on Iraq and away from the real threat of al Qaeda has resulted in an increasing number of deadly attacks launched by Taliban and al Qaeda forces in and around Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that NATO's top commander, General John Craddock, does not have enough forces for the anticipated spring offensive by the Taliban. The general warned that ``failure to send reinforcements was weakening the mission and jeopardizing the lives of soldiers fighting'' in Afghanistan.

More than 135,000 troops are currently serving in Iraq. Many have completed their second or even their third tour of duty. Multiple tours of duty for the National Guard and Reserve members have created hardships for many families in my district and throughout the United States. Currently, these brave American forces are caught in the middle of a religious dispute that began in the 7th century between rival Muslim factions. These underlying sectarian hostilities have come to the fore in Iraq and have grown into a full-blown civil war.

Bringing stability to Iraq cannot be achieved through an escalation of our military involvement in that country. Rather, Shiites and Sunnis must decide for themselves to forge a political solution to this crisis in which the interests of all Iraqis are represented. Nevertheless, President Bush is ignoring the advice of his top generals, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, the majority of Congress, and, most of all, the American people by announcing his intention to send an additional 21,500 American troops into harm's way to continue pursuing a flawed policy.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this escalation of our troop presence in Iraq. The time for more troops was 4 years ago when General Shinseki presciently warned of the need for hundreds of thousands of military personnel to stabilize post-war Iraq. But the President, the Vice President, and the former Secretary of Defense believed they could fight this war on the cheap, with too few troops, too little armor, and too little help. They were wrong, and now it is too late.

Mr. Speaker, from my perspective, the resolution before us today has been long overdue. The American people have called on this Congress to express their disapproval of this war of choice in Iraq and this President's prosecution of it. To that end, I will support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Pennsylvania State Rep. Thomas M. Tigue, who retired this year after serving 26 years in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Mr. Tigue represented the 118th Legislative District which includes Pittston City, Bear Creek, Buck and Jenkins Townships and Avoca, Bear Creek Village, Dupont, Duryea, Hughestown and Laflin Boroughs in Luzerne County and Chestnuthill, Eldred, Polk, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships in Monroe County.

Mr. Tigue was a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. He served in the Vietnam War and earned the Silver Star. He was later elected to the Pittston Area School Board before being elected to the state House in 1980.

During his tenure as an elected state lawmaker, Mr. Tigue's accomplishments included sponsoring the PACE preservation law, securing funds to replace the dam at Brady's Lake, working to bring about property tax reform and addressing numerous education issues. Mr. Tigue was meticulous about being responsive to matters of concern and interest to his constituents.

He frequently advised his younger colleagues in the House to listen to voters. He would admonish them to be flexible, put aside partisan politics and be willing to compromise to get things done. Mr. Tigue believed that voters expect their elected officials to make tough decisions.

Mr. Tigue was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, to Michael and the late Joan Walsh Tigue. He graduated from St. John's High School, Pittston and earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from King's College in Wilkes-Barre. He was a Legislative Fellow at East Stroudsburg University.

While serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Mr. Tigue served as the Democratic chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees and the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

Mr. Tigue was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

He is married to the former Dianne Walsh and the couple has four children: Thomas, Tracy Ashby, Kristin Lazevnick and Colleen. They also have seven grandchildren.

On a personal note, let me add that it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Tom on countless occasions through the years. I could always count on him to be thoroughly informed and willing to do the hard work necessary to solve what sometimes appeared to be intractable problems. Always a straight shooter, Tom never hesitated to tell the hard truth, not always what our constituents wanted to hear. His candor is all too uncommon, and his retirement is a great loss to the Legislature and to Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Tigue on a very successful career in public service. His commitment to community service contributed greatly to improving the quality of life throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Frederick A. Lohman, senior vice president of real estate and asset management for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, who recently announced his resignation to accept a position with Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.

During his 19 years with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, Mr. Lohman has been responsible for all aspects of real estate development including planning, financing, development, management and disposition of real estate assets. He also served as the executive vice president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corporation and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund, Inc.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry is a community, economic development and business service organization charged with the mission of collaborating with community and regional partners to create quality employment and business opportunities and improve the area's quality of life through strategic planning, programs and investments.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Lohman worked successfully with talented coworkers and dedicated volunteer community leaders to change the economic landscape of the greater Wilkes-Barre area.

He joined the chamber in 1987 as business manager. He later served as vice president, controller, senior vice president, chief financial officer and senior vice president of real estate and asset management.

Mr. Lohman contributed toward the expansion of the Crestwood and Hanover Industrial Parks and the construction of three new parks including the Corporate Center at East Mountain, Hanover Crossings and Highland Park, home to the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

The chamber was responsible for redeveloping the former Pomeroy's Department Store building into what is now Public Square Commons, a first class office building, and the former Woolworth's Five and Dime Store, which is now home to the Innovation Center, a business incubator, as well as a joint collegiate bookstore, Barnes and Noble College Booksellers.

Mr. Lohman played an integral role in one of the chamber's most aggressive efforts--the Northampton and Main Redevelopment Project, a 160,000-square-foot urban mixed use, entertainment-based, commercial and residential complex containing a 14-screen cinema, retail space and loft housing.

Lohman is a 1976 graduate of Wilkes College, now Wilkes University, and received his master's degree in 1986 from Marywood University. He previously served as municipal manager for Edwardsville Borough and Towanda Borough and as director of the Wilkes University's Small Business Development Center.

On a personal note, let me express my sincere appreciation for all the assistance Fred has provided to me throughout the years. Whenever I have called on him to assist in furthering the progress of any project that would bring jobs to the region, he has been unfailingly generous with his time and expertise. He is a truly talented professional, and I am pleased to also call him a personal friend.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Lohman for his years of service to the Greater Wilkes-Barre community. The talent and dedication he brought to his role as a business development executive has paid many dividends that have improved the quality of life throughout the region, and I wish him well in his new position in the private sector.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Leonard A. Verrastro, a prominent businessman and community leader in the borough of Dunmore, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Verrastro was selected by the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County as their 2006 ``Man of the Year,'' an honor he truly deserves.

Born in 1923, Mr. Verrastro was one of eight children of the late Dominic Verrastro and the former Vita Grace Bochicchio. His father was a veteran of World War I and then worked in the anthracite coal mines before starting Leonard's Bar and Grill in Dunmore.

Leonard was the oldest of six boys, five of whom served in World War II. Mr. Verrastro was educated in Dunmore public schools after which he attended the University of Scranton.

Mr. Verrastro founded Best Dry Cleaners and later operated Leonard's Bar and Grill. He also founded the Dunmore Hoagie Shop and later went into the real estate business where he acquired many homes and converted them into remodeled apartments.

He is the last surviving charter member of the Dunmore Lions Club. He is also a member of the Dunmore American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Saint Anthony's Holy Name Society, the Willow Club, the Dunmore Senior Citizens Center, the Lackawanna County Columbus Day Association and the San Cataldo Club.

Mr. Verrastro is also well known for his political activity, having been first elected to the Dunmore Borough Council in 1963 where he has served for 44 years. He also served as Dunmore's representative on the Scranton Sewer Authority and as Lackawanna County

Treasurer for two years. He continues to serve as deputy treasurer.

Mr. Verrastro was married to the former Angelina Mecca, who died in 1996, and the couple had three children: Vita Grace Masucci, Carmel Ann Biko and Dominic Verrastro. He has seven grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Verrastro on being selected as ``Man of the Year.'' His contributions to his community demonstrate his selflessness and commitment to improving the quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Gus Genetti, owner of the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes- Barre Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Redington Hotel.

Mr. Genetti acquired the Redington Hotel in 1963 and proceeded to renovate and expand that facility into a landmark haven of hospitality in Wilkes-Barre's downtown.

Built by John Redington, the hotel was opened October 11, 1906, at the corner of East Market Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. The lavish seven story hotel was designed by the prominent architectural firm of McCormick and French. The facility contained many modern conveniences, such as a dining room, telephone exchange, public bath, barber shop, butcher shop and bakery. Many notable visitors stayed at the hotel including comedians Abbott and Costello.

In October, 1922, John Redington retired and leased the hotel to the Keystone State Hotel Association. In 1930, Mr. Redington with his son, John A., Jr., resumed management of the hotel until John Senior's death on January 24, 1941.

In February, 1942, the hotel was purchased from the Redington estate through a sheriff's sale by Conrad F. Goeringer. Goeringer sold the hotel to Morgus Enterprises on May 20, 1960.

With the decline and eventual termination of the Lehigh Valley Rail Service, changing hotel standards and the opening of motels on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre, the Redington fell on hard times.

The hotel changed hands once again at sheriff's sale, eventually being purchased by Mr. Genetti in July, 1963. The hotel was subsequently upgraded, modernized and reopened in September, 1963, as the Genetti Hotel.

The hotel was again renovated after the Agnes flood of 1972 and has been continually improved and enlarged since then. The hotel's frontage now extends along the entire second block of East Market Street.

Despite the Agnes flood of 1972 and a fire on New Year's Day in 1999, the Genetti Hotel has maintained its position as a premier lodging, dining and meeting destination in Wilkes-Barre.

On a personal note, I have known the Genetti family for more than 50 years and Mr. Genetti's prominence as a hotelier and restaurateur parallels that of his father, who was equally well known and respected throughout the region.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Genetti on this milestone occasion. Throughout adversity and success, Mr. Genetti has proven himself to be one of Wilkes-Barre's outstanding businessmen and community leaders. His commitment and dedication to Wilkes-Barre's economic development is exceptional. And, for that, he deserves the gratitude of the entire region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Gus Genetti, owner of the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes- Barre Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Redington Hotel.

Mr. Genetti acquired the Redington Hotel in 1963 and proceeded to renovate and expand that facility into a landmark haven of hospitality in Wilkes-Barre's downtown.

Built by John Redington, the hotel was opened October 11, 1906 at the comer of East Market Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. The lavish seven-story hotel was designed by the prominent architectural firm of McCormick and French. The facility contained many modem conveniences, such as a dining room, telephone exchange, public bath, barber shop, butcher shop and bakery. Many notable visitors stayed at the hotel including comedians Abbott and Costello.

In October, 1922, John Redington retired and leased the hotel to the Keystone State Hotel Association. In 1930, Mr. Redington with his son, John A. Jr., resumed management of the hotel until John Senior's death on January 24, 1941.

In February, 1942, the hotel was purchased from the Redington estate through a sheriffs sale by Conrad F. Goeringer. Goeringer sold the hotel to Morgus Enterprises on May 20, 1960.

With the decline and eventual termination of the Lehigh Valley Rail Service, changing hotel standards and the opening of motels on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre, the Redington fell on hard times.

The hotel changed hands once again at sheriff's sale, eventually being purchased by Mr. Genetti in July, 1963. The hotel was subsequently upgraded, modernized and reopened in September, 1963, as the Genetti Hotel.

The hotel was again renovated after the Agnes flood of 1972 and has been continually improved and enlarged since then. The hotel's frontage now extends along the entire second block of East Market Street.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Walter Conway, mayor of Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.

Mayor Conway has been named ``Citizen of the Year'' by the Delaware Water Gap Chamber of Commerce and will be honored at an award dinner Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Water Gap Country Club.

A graduate of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Mayor Conway and his wife, Cathy, have two children, Cathleen Conway and Mrs. Wendy Scott.

Mayor Conway is a veteran of the United States Army, having served in Vietnam where he distinguished himself and was the recipient of numerous medals and commendations.

Mayor Conway began his community involvement in Delaware Water Gap in 1997 as a member of the Planning Commission. He has been chairman of the Planning Commission since June, 2004. During this time, he has been instrumental in revising numerous zoning ordinances.

Mayor Conway is active in the Delaware Water Gap Chamber of Commerce and is the backbone of the current annual golf tournament. He also sponsors a Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament.

Mayor Conway has obtained over $485,000 in grant money for the borough and other related organizations, such as the Antoine Dutot Museum, the police department and the fire department.

And even though he resides in the borough's flood zone, he is well known for helping his neighbors even before he works on his own home. He also coordinates all flood recovery efforts.

He was a past member and president of the Kittatiny Lions Club. He is currently a veteran member of the Kiwanis Club. He served as Lt. Governor for Division 17 in 1993 for the Pennsylvania District of Kiwanis International. He was also a recipient of the Pennsylvania Kiwanis International Keystone Award.

For the past 15 years, he has been involved with golf tournament fund raising for the Geisinger Children's Heart Program. He is also active with the Children's Miracle Network.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mayor Conway on this happy occasion. His commitment and service to the Borough of Delaware Water Gap has greatly enriched the quality of life in that community.