Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Council of Presidents from the Wyoming Valley's five institutions of higher education that includes King's College, Wilkes University, College Misericordia, Penn State University and the Luzerne County Community College.

In the mid 1980s, the presidents of these five institutions came together upon realizing that although they compete for students and funding, they are also an invaluable resource to the greater community in which they are located. That realization prompted the formation of the Council of Presidents as a vehicle to promote cooperation and sharing of common goals in a manner that maximizes the effort involved.

Since then, the Council of Presidents has been a positive force in downtown Wilkes-Barre economic development efforts, the formation of the Diamond City Partnership, the Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center, the Great Valley Technology Alliance, City Vest and the Joint Urban Studies Center, to name just a few of their accomplishments.

The Council of Presidents stands as a beacon that focuses a bright light on the positive things that can be achieved through cooperative action. Not only has their outstanding leadership and example proven to be a blueprint for success in the community arena, it has also paid vast dividends to each of the schools the presidents represent.

Cooperation in designing and developing academic course offerings has benefited from the Council of Presidents and their foresight and collective zeal to improve educational opportunities for all students attending their respective institutions.

The Council of Presidents has been especially sensitive to changing elements in society and has responded promptly and efficiently to meet those challenges. The Council of Presidents has worked cooperatively to consolidate Spanish language development to accommodate a growing Hispanic population in the region.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Council of Presidents on this notable occasion. The people of the greater Wyoming Valley are better served because of the work accomplished by this dedicated group of men and women. And their cooperative example should serve as a model for other groups, both public and private, who seek to provide a higher level of service in the performance of their duties.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Kristopher Jones of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of having been selected to receive the Great Valley Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

As a founder of Peppperjam.com, a 6-year-old internet-based company established by Mr. Jones and his brother to market their grandmother's 50-year-old jam recipes and other gourmet food products, Mr. Jones has demonstrated the kind of true entrepreneurial spirit for which this award was created.

A bright and talented young man, Mr. Jones possesses a diverse background in both his education and professional pursuits.

Kris served as an intern in my Washington office and for the Financial Services Committee during the summers while he was a law student. Upon his graduation, I hired him as my district director. We talked often about his interest in growing his family business, and I encouraged him to focus on pursuing the unique opportunities presented to him. Because of his deep love of Northeastern Pennsylvania, he promised to keep his company based in the area to help stimulate the local economy.

Recently, Mr. Jones has expanded his business into e-commerce consulting, a new field that has helped enable him to add new jobs to his company and to achieve national recognition in the field of affiliate marketing management.

Always one to give back to his community, Mr. Jones regularly speaks with college students and recent graduates about business opportunities that exist in Northeastern Pennsylvania, recognizing the need to be a good corporate citizen and community advocate.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Kristopher Jones on this auspicious occasion. The entrepreneurial spirit displayed by Mr. Jones has set a fine example for all potential young entrepreneurs and fledgling enterprises in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to my good friend Master Sergeant Victor J. Luksic, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard following 40 years of distinguished and loyal service.

For the past 22 years of Master Sergeant Luksic's military service, he was engaged in the Recruiting and Retention Command at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania.

Indeed, Master Sergeant Luksic served as chairman for the Sergeants Major Sub Committee of the National Recruiting and Retention Council, a body that serves in the capacity of a board of directors for the Recruiting and Retention Force of the National Guard Bureau.

As chairman of that Council, Master Sergeant Luksic was charged with representing all 1,400 recruiting personnel serving throughout the United States.

During his service spanning four decades, Master Sergeant Luksic mastered the specialties of tactical communications, infantryman, senior instructor, finance, career counselor, and recruiting and retention.

The father of two children, Master Sergeant Luksic also distinguished himself by his selfless service to his home community in the great Wyoming Valley. He is a past chairman of the board of directors of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He is also a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society and the St. Conrad's Young Men's Association of Wilkes-Barre.

Master Sergeant Luksic earned numerous military awards and decorations while serving the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Some of the those accolades include the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Armed Force Reserve Medal with Gold Hour Glass; Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development ribbon; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Master Recruiting Badge.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Master Sergeant Luksic on the completion of 40 years of military service. His devotion to duty and to the United States of America's defense has helped make this great Nation a safer place and has furthered the noble causes of promoting liberty and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, which is celebrating 50 years of artistic and cultural presentation to the citizens of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1956 under the leadership of Annette Evans, Ruth Schooley and Alfred Groh, the Fine Arts Fiesta is the oldest full-scale arts festival in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Making the event even more special is the fact that it has never charged the public for admission, preferring to make the event open to anyone, regardless of ability to pay. Instead, the Fine Arts Fiesta, always held on Wilkes-Barre's historic Public Square, has managed to fund itself through state grants and voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Throughout its history, the Fine Arts Fiesta has always highlighted children's entertainment.

At noon on May 24, 1956, then Mayor Luther M. Kniffen sounded the Old Ship Zion bell and the Fine Arts Fiesta was born. It was also a highlight of Wilkes-Barre's Sesquicentennial that was being observed in 1956.

Dr. Eugene S. Farley, then president of Wilkes College, offered remarks and stressed the interrelation between the Wyoming Valley's cultural assets and the economic and industrial well being of the community. He concluded that the Fiesta plays a significant role in the overall growth of the community.

By 1962, the Fine Arts Fiesta had grown to include 36 organizations. More than 1,000 volunteers were working to present artistic displays from virtually every art and craft.

In 1963, Mrs. C. Wells Belin, of Scranton, a leader in the local art world, delivered the Fiesta's opening address. She spoke of the ``four great assets of Fiesta.'' She went on to describe those assets as ``public relations value . . . positive example for other cities . . . importance to industries already here and those planning to come here and, finally, as a way of helping people broaden their horizons and appreciation of culture and the arts.

Also in 1963, The Fine Arts Fiesta gained national recognition after George Ralston, chairman of the Wilkes-Barre Recreation Board, nominated the Fiesta for an award from the National Recreation Committee. That award was presented to Fiesta founder Annette Evans in the presence of the late U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating The Fine Arts Fiesta on a half century of cultural service to the citizens of northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, some of whom travel great distances to attend and enjoy the Fiesta. Clearly, the Fiesta has enriched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and our community is a far better place because of it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Honorable Joseph J. Corcoran, former Lackawanna County Pennsylvania Commissioner, who is being presented with the 53rd annual Americanism Award by B'nai B'rith, Amos Lodge No. 36.

Mr. Corcoran's 28 years of public service to the people in Lackawanna County have produced an array of positive improvements to the quality of life in that region. Mr. Corcoran has been a leader in economic development, transportation planning, historic and architectural preservation, tourism and culture, care for the elderly and abused, library growth, family entertainment and environmental protection.

Although I am relatively new to representing Lackawanna County, I have worked closely with Joe Corcoran on some of his projects but have seen the results of many of his projects firsthand.

Joe always saw the big picture and his body of work reflected the values and work ethic of his constituency. He remained steadfast in his focus on long-range planning and leveraging local dollars with private, state and federal funding.

A native of Scranton, Joe earned an associate degree in business administration from Lackawanna College and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Scranton.

In 1975, at the age of 24, he was elected as the youngest ever Scranton controller, serving two terms. In 1984, he became Lackawanna County majority commissioner, serving five terms, until 2004.

In reviewing his accomplishments, he implemented the first-ever annual audit by national ``Big 8'' accounting firms which upgraded Lackawanna County's municipal bond rating. He created the County Railroad Authority, Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority, Solid Waste Management Authority, Performing Arts Center Authority and Heritage Valley Authority.

He funded the start-up of the Steamtown National Historic Site; constructed a dedicated children's library in downtown Scranton and new libraries in the Abingtons, Carbondale and Mid-Valley; directed the opening of the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, Lackawanna Valley Railway, Lackawanna County Recycling Center, Lackawanna County Visitor center and Lackawanna Trolley Museum. He also revived the 1905 Laurel Line Tunnel Electric Trolley Excursion and the Lackawanna Stadium on Ice.

He championed the restoration of Court House Square, the Koch-Conley Building, the PG&W Building on Jefferson Avenue and the Adams Avenue County Administration Building. He managed the rescue of the Montage Mountain Ski Resort and development and operation of the Montage Performing Arts Center. He oversaw the development and financing for both the $35 million Lackawanna County Prison and the $8 million, 68- bed, Alzheimer's Wing at the Lackawanna County Health Care Center.

He chaired the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport Board of Control and helped develop the master plan and financing program for the current $65 million capital expansion underway at the airport. He implemented the region's first Tax Incremental Financing to fund construction of Glenmaura Corporate Center and to facilitate the Fleet Pennsylvania Services relocation on Montage Mountain.

Mr. Corcoran recognized the future transportation needs of our region when he helped keep intact the rail connections between Lackawanna and Monroe counties for the eventual future resumption of rail passenger service between Scranton and Hoboken, NJ. But his most distinguished achievement is his key role in the funding and construction of the $25 million Lackawanna County Stadium and the acquisition of the area's Triple A Baseball team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

Mr. Corcoran is the son of the late John J. and Lucille M. Dougher Corcoran. He resides in his family neighborhood in Scranton with his wife, the former Jean Gallagher, and their son, Jack, a student at the University of Scranton.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Corcoran, one of the finest public officials I have ever had the pleasure of working with, on this proud occasion. The Lackawanna County community is far better off today because of the remarkable service record of Joseph J. Corcoran.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating my good friend Mathilda Sheptak as she marks her 40th year in the tourism industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mathilda was born into the hospitality field. Her family ran a boarding house with a restaurant and gas station in Lakewood, New Jersey. Mathilda is the daughter of Louis and Catherine Barravecchia. Mathilda is married to Steve Sheptak, a retired IBM sales and marketing executive.

When Mathilda was eleven years old, her family bought the Overlook Inn in Canadensis. The tourism industry was the dominant business in the rural Poconos.

At this time, Pocono resorts were open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The family resort had 30 rooms and no liquor license. Guests were served three meals a day. Entertainment revolved around card games, cookouts, a pool table, and eventually, a swimming pool.

Mathilda thrived on meeting the guests and developing interpersonal relationships with the families who would return year after year. Mathilda grew up with the ``resort brats''--the children of all the other resort owners. During the off-season, these families worked to improve their resorts and planned for the coming season.

Mathilda attended Pocono Mountain High School and was part of its first graduating class. She attended East Stroudsburg University and then worked at a corporation that manufactured products for IBM.

Mathilda joined the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau on February 1, 1965, as a secretary and subsequently moved up to office manager. She eventually took over the No. 2 spot at PMVB, and has been deputy executive director ever since. In this position, she is responsible for the budget, environmental planning, financing and statewide issues.

Forty years in tourism is a testament to Mathilda's love of the Pocono region. I am fortunate to have worked with such a dedicated individual in promoting the tourism industry.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mathilda Sheptak on this milestone and wishing her many more successful years. Tourism remains the area's largest industry and Mathilda is a big part of that legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend Olivia Herman, whose life will be commemorated in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, as the school district dedicates its new athletic complex as the Olivia Herman Track and Field Complex.

Olivia served on the Lehighton Area School Board for 13 years, from 1991 through 2003. She succumbed to cancer in March 2004 after a short battle with the disease.

Olivia was elected as president of the school board from 2001 through 2003. When she attended her very last school board meeting in December 2003, the board voted to dedicate to her the new athletic complex that was being built. Olivia had worked diligently to obtain funding for the new facilities, and the school district wanted to show its appreciation.

For eight years--from 1996 through 2003--Olivia served on the board of directors for the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit. Prior to that, she was the Director of Literacy for Carbon County, and was a volunteer reading teacher. Olivia Herman was a tremendous asset to the field of education. She was a lifelong advocate of reading and always stressed the importance of literacy.

Olivia received her college degree later in life after working professionally as a social worker for many years. She went to the University of Delaware, graduating in 1971. Olivia's husband, William, was sick at the time and the two stayed in Delaware for a few years before returning to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Olivia, herself a 1942 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, was by many accounts one of the most gifted athletes to ever graduate from the school. She was especially active in gymnastics, but she also participated in basketball, cheerleading, and track. She remained active in the school district throughout her life, organizing reunions for her former classmates every few years. When she retired, she decided she still had more to give of herself.

Olivia ran for school board and soon made that her full-time job.

Olivia and her husband had four children: Judy Herman Hunsicker, twins Darryl and Derryl, and Rudy, who passed away at the age of 40.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the life of an extraordinary woman who helped so many children and adults throughout her life as the Olivia Herman Track and Field Complex is dedicated in Lehighton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Martin Flaherty on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania after more than 30 years of dedicated service. Martin, or ``Marty,'' as he is known by friends, co-workers, veterans, and volunteers at the VA, will be greatly missed and I wish him luck in the next phase of his life.

Martin's service to the government began on April 4, 1966 when he joined the Army. He spent two years on a tour of duty in Germany and was honorably discharged on March 17, 1968 at the rank of Spec 5. After the Army, Marty worked for the Domestic Intelligence Division in Washington, D.C., and in September of 1970 he joined the Metropolitan Police Force in Washington.

In the evenings, he attended Georgetown University. Marty was off to a promising start in life. His career in Washington was cut short when he left in 1973 to move back home to the Wyoming Valley to care of his father, who had taken ill.

In that same year, Marty started to work for the VA Medical Center as a housekeeping aide. Marty worked his way up through the ranks with hard work and landed a job in the warehouse. From there, Marty's career took off.

Now Marty is the supervisor of the Inventory Management Department, where he oversees the warehouse, inventory personnel, and SPD. He possesses great motivational skills to rally staff to accomplish tasks where others would say: ``it can't be done.'' And at the start of each day, you'll hear Marty coming down the hallway, thanking his employees for coming to work that day. In return, he receives a ``thank you'' back.

Marty has received superior performance awards over his career at the VA and possesses the respect of managers above him. G. Michael Miller, the VISN 4 Chief Logistics Officer, states that: ``Marty is one of the people that makes the VA Wilkes-Barre a special place to work.'' Jackie Malhoyt, the former Facilities Management Director, stated that: ``Marty looks at change as a challenge and opportunity, never as a threat or bother. He is an example of the heart of this medical center.''

But this is not the whole story of Marty. Walk around the VA and you will hear other stories of Marty's selflessness and dedication, whether it's assisting patients to their next appointment or being a sounding board for a co-worker in need. You may find him purchasing the balance of chances for a drawing from veteran volunteers in order to help them meet their goal. Still, what you will probably hear most about Marty is how people were moved by his singing voice.

You see, Marty has been blessed with a beautiful voice and has been singing since he was nine years old, when he received his first lessons from Mrs. Helen Schivell of Wilkes-Barre. Over and over again, Marty is asked to share his singing voice at various hospital events, whether it's a Veterans Day ceremony or an employee awards program. You may also find him belting out songs in patient rooms or in the VA's nursing home on other occasions.

George Bath, the VA's Network Contracting Manager and Marty's former supervisor, notes one instance where there was an unusually large turnout at an employees' recognition program. George recalls: ``I walked into Liberty Hall and nearly every seat was taken. I turned and there at the head of the room, with a mike

in hand, was Marty, getting ready to open the program. Then I heard someone whisper, `I hope he sings Wind Beneath My Wings.' Folks were there to hear Marty!''

Beyond the walls of the VAMC, you will hear Marty's voice as a soloist at his church, at local nursing homes, or at other community- based activities. And he takes nothing in return except the cheer of the crowd.

In addition to singing, you will find Marty creating floral arrangements that he donates to his church to help raise money. Roland E. Moore, the Wilkes-Barre VA's Medical Center Director, sums it up: ``Marty's work ethic and dedication to serving veterans and VA staff is second-to-none. Whether it's being ranked as a well-respected supervisor in our medical center/network or boosting the spirits of veterans with a song, he has truly served this institution with professionalism and gusto.''

Marty will be missed for his dedication and compassion to the veterans he has served over the years and also by the employees who have had the opportunity to work alongside him. I am pleased to join my friends at the VA in congratulating Marty on this milestone. I wish him a fruitful and enjoyable retirement and, Marty, thank you for coming to work for the Wilkes-Barre VA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Gerald T. Langan for 35 years of community service and 25 years as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries as he is honored Friday night at a celebration at The Radisson Hotel in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Langan is a 1966 graduate of Central High School in Scranton. After high school, he went on to Lackawanna Junior College and Bethel College.

In 1970, he took a job as the education coordinator for Head Start. Mr. Langan then became the project director for Head Start in 1973. Since 1985, he has been president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Langan has twice served as president of the Pennsylvania Goodwill Director's Association. He was appointed to the State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Board by Governor Robert Casey. Mr. Langan is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation, the zoning board for the City of Scranton, and the housing board of Lackawanna County. He was awarded ``Health Care Professional of the Year'' by the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Langan was a past member of the Lackawanna College Board of Directors, and served as board chairman for two years.

Mr. Langan and his lovely wife Fran have one daughter, Kristen.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Gerald Langan as he is honored for his selfless devotion to the community and dedication to making the world a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patty Lawler as the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women names her Woman of the Year.

Patty is the daughter of James and Dolores Lawler. She was born and raised in the MidValley area, and currently lives in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

Patty is a graduate of St. Patrick's High School in Olyphant. She graduated from Marywood University with a bachelor of arts degree in education and theater. Patty was active in many clubs and organizations on campus and was president of the class of 1971. She was a member of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Marywood Players. She held leading roles in many productions on campus and chaired several committees including Sophomore Parents' Weekend and the Junior Prom. Patty is listed in the 1971 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Patty completed her graduate work at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in theater and directing. She participated in Shakespearean productions and represented the university at a meeting with Ed McMahon in New York City.

Patty currently works as a second grade teacher in the Lakeland School District, where she is in her 27th year in the education field. She has served as director of the Lakeland Curtain Club and also teaches theater courses for Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit. She has also worked at a summer camp for the Association for Retarded Citizens of Wyoming County where she trained campers in the basics of acting for a performance on the last day of camp.

Patty is a past president of the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women. She ran as a delegate for John Kerry to the 2004 Democratic National Convention and received the highest number of votes in each of the counties in her district. She attended the convention in Boston in July 2004 not only as a delegate, but also as a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association Caucus.

Patty is currently a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Lakeland Education Association, the Laurel Garden Club, and the Rock and Mineral Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She is a very active member of the Lackawanna County Humane Society, of which she is a former board member. She can still be seen walking dogs in the St. Patrick's Day parade or serving refreshments at fund raising events. Patty is a member of the Marywood Alumni Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania and belongs to Holy Rosary Parish in Scranton, where she is a member of the choir. Patty was recently appointed to the Saint Joseph's Auxiliary Board and is working diligently on this year's summer festival.

Patty received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association for Retarded Citizens of Wyoming County for organizing the adoption of a ward program at Clarks Summit State Hospital.

Quality education and honest politics are Patty's passions. She was exposed to politics at a very early age when she and her sister accompanied her parents to political functions. The family attended functions such as the National Association of Postmasters Convention at the Waldorf Astoria. Patty's father was the postmaster of Olyphant and first cousin to County Commissioner Mike Lawler and Assistant Postmaster General Jo Jo Lawler. The families were very close, and Patty recalls that, as little girls, she and her sister would accompany their dad to the corner in Jessup where the men met to talk about politics.

Patty Lawler has a devotion to the community and expresses that through her willingness to volunteer her talents helping others. The Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women is awarding this honor to her this year because she works so hard to make a difference in Lackawanna County.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Lawler on the prestigious honor of being named Woman of the Year by the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John Neumann Division 1, of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their charter that occurred in January of 1980.

The primary purpose of the LAOH, which was first organized as the ``Daughters of Erin'' in 1894 in Omaha, Nebraska, was to protect young immigrant Irish girls coming to the United States. The LAOH offered support and encouragement and assisted the young women to secure employment. The LAOH also assisted the AOH in its efforts to aid the sick and needy and to defend priests, church and country.

In keeping with the original spirit of the LAOH, St. John Neumann Division 1 continues to assist young women of Irish descent by providing an annual scholarship to Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes- Barre. They assist the sick and needy by adopting a family each year and contributing time and resources to the local soup kitchens and nursing homes. They also volunteer their time and resources to assist the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the American Diabetes Association and other worthy community programs.

The group continues to promote Catholic Irish heritage and culture through support of seminarians, their annual St. Brigid Mass, annual St. Patrick Mass, participation in Irish cultural history and dance programs, the Irish teachers program and parades in honor of St. Patrick.

St. John Neumann Division 1 produced two past LAOH state presidents, Claire McNelis Karpowich and Kate Brennan Angerson, and is currently represented on the State board of directors by Maureen Lavelle, who serves as State historian.

Mary Ann Amesbury is the current president of St. John Neumann Division 1. Division officers include: Kellie Knesis, vice president; Maureen Lavelle, recording secretary; Suzanne Cosgrove, treasurer; Margaret Tudgay, financial secretary; Mary Ellen Dooley, historian; Ann Marie O'Hara, missions and charities; Eileen Potsko, Catholic action; Donna Mangan, sentinel and Mary Kathleen Williams, mistress at arms.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John Neumann Division 1, on this notable occasion. The Wilkes-Barre area community is fortunate to have the benefit of the selfless community service that members of the LAOH provide.

Mr. Speaker, as the leading Democratic supporter of H.R. 1025, I rise today in strong support of the Mortgage Servicing Clarification Act. It is a good piece of legislation that will fix a technical problem under existing law.

Under the current Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, when a mortgage servicer acquires the rights to service a loan portfolio it is generally exempt from complying with the law's requirements because the act extends the creditor's exemption to the new servicer. In a typical loan servicing transfer, however, a certain percentage of loans will be delinquent or in default at the time of the transfer. These loans are therefore technically covered by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, even though the new servicer has a fundamentally different relationship with the borrower than a true debt collector.

H.R. 1025 would resolve this problem by establishing a very narrow exemption for servicers of first lien mortgages from the notice requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. All other substantive borrower protections provided by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act would remain in full force. Additionally, the exemption is available only to servicers that are primarily engaged servicing current loans.

We worked for several years to narrow the exemption created by this bill in order to address the concerns of all interested parties. The legislation also passed the House in the 107th Congress and the 108th Congress, and when we last passed this bill it was approved by a vote of 424 to 0. I expect that we will again today pass this bill in the 109th Congress with similar bipartisan support.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, the provisions of H.R. 1025 are consistent with longstanding recommendations by the Federal Trade Commission, under the Clinton and Bush Administrations, to improve the application of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to mortgage servicing activities. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense, technical-fix legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to a group of men from the past and present who are part of a proud tradition in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County will celebrate its 100th anniversary on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick is a group of men who gets together each year on St. Patrick's Day to partake in dinner and camaraderie in a celebration of the Irish-American experience. The Friendly Sons dinners are a tradition in Lackawanna County that have grown considerably since the first one in 1906--from about 80 men in 1906 to 1,200 this year. This year's dinner was sold out months in advance.

The Friendly Sons had its beginning as the Irish-American Society of Lackawanna County, formed by Judge Edward F. Blewitt, former Scranton Diocese Bishop M.J. Hoban, Col. F.J. Fitzsimmons and Scranton Times publisher E.J. Lynett. The organization wanted a more formal way to mark St. Patrick's Day than with the parades in downtown Scranton.

The Lackawanna County group called itself the Irish-American Society until 1940. Members felt that a hyphenated name was no longer appropriate. WorId War II was just beginning and the organization wanted to have people united as Americans, not identified because of their descent.

For the first few years, the dinner took place at the old Hotel Jermyn. It moved to the former Hotel Casey in 1911, where it remained for 60 years. As time went on, the Friendly Sons had to find another venue because the Hotel Casey could not accommodate the expanding guest list. Some attendees were even forced to sit in the hotel coffee shop or in the nearby Preno's Restaurant and watch the evening's festivities on tiny television monitors.

Eventually, the dinner moved again--this time to St. Mary's Center and then in 1984 to Genetti Manor in Dickson City, where it has been held since.

The dinner has earned quite a reputation for hosting one notable speaker after another. Typically, the organization tries to have two main speakers--a lay person and a member of the clergy. The list of prominent names dates back to the dinner's 1909 speaker, John Mitchell, revered labor leader and international president of United Mineworkers of America.

President Harry S Truman spoke at the dinner twice--in 1943 and 1956. In 1943, he was a little-known senator from Missouri who spoke about foreign policy during the Cold

War. When he came back to the Friendly Sons dinner in 1956, he had served two terms as president.

Perhaps the most notable speaker came in 1964. The Friendly Sons dinner was the first public appearance made by then-U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy following the assassination of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. In September of that year, Robert Kennedy resigned to run for the U.S. Senate in New York. A column written 10 years later by one of his aides stated that Mr. Kennedy made his decision to remain in public service because of the amazing support and outpouring of affection shown to him in Scranton as 2,000 people lined the streets to greet him.

Many politicians have spoken at the Friendly Sons dinner. Beginning with John K. Tener in 1911 and including our current governor, Ed Rendell, in 2003, almost all Pennsylvania governors have attended the dinner, including Lackawanna County residents William W. Scranton and the late Robert P. Casey, who himself was a member of the Friendly Sons.

My good friend former U.S. Rep. Joseph McDade, also a Friendly Sons member, spoke in 1986. U.S. senators, including Eugene McCarthy, Henry ``Scoop'' Jackson, John Glenn, and Delaware's Joseph Biden--a native of Scranton--have spoken at the dinner.

Guests from abroad have also graced the stage, including former Irish Prime Ministers Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and British Parliament member Martin McGuiness.

The Friendly Sons organization has about 900 members and elects officers each year. The president has the intimidating job of organizing the dinner and arranging for the speaker.

This year's president is Dr. Joseph T. Kelly Sr. and the speaker is Alex Maskey, the first Catholic mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Mr. Speaker, please join me and my fellow colleagues in the House of Representatives in congratulating the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County, an organization steeped in rich traditions, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the

House of Representatives to pay tribute to Michael Patrick Hinchey, who will receive the Man of the Year Award from the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.

Mr. Hinchey, a native of Kingston, is the son of the late John H. Hinchey Jr. and Margaret Jennings Hinchey. He has three brothers: John III, Frank and Edward.

Michael had a distinguished professional career as vice president of the Matheson Transfer Company. He is also co-owner and vice president of the Matheson Warehouse Company, where he still serves in his official capacity along with his three brothers.

Michael is a member of St. Ignatius Church in Kingston, as well as the Church's Holy Name Society. He was a past president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in 1984 and was dinner chairman in 1983. Michael is a founding Legacy Member of the Forty Fort Lions Club, an organization in which he served as president, vice president and secretary. He is a board member, golf chairman and building chairman of the Fox Hill Country Club and an active member of the Westmoreland Club as development chairman, historical committee chairman and golf club co- chairman. He is also a committee member of the Pennsylvania Movers Storage Association.

Michael is active in many service organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts, Keystone College, King's College, St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, United Way, YMCA and Wilkes University.

Michael has been married to the former Sharon Cravatta for 28 years. He is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Westyn Layne and Collyn Michael.

Michael was raised by two wonderful parents who instilled in him a love of family and devotion to community. Michael attributes his pride in his Irish heritage to his grandfather, who was a first generation immigrant.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Michael Patrick Hinchey upon being named Man of the Year by the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to James Conlon Jr. as he receives the Man of the Year Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.

Mr. Conlon is a lifelong resident of Inkerman. He is the son of the late James and Mary McAndrew Conlon. James graduated from Jenkins Township High School in 1944 and was drafted into the Army the following September. He served overseas with the Third Army, 90th Division, fighting in campaigns in Central Europe and Rhineland, Germany.

In 1956, James took a position with the Wilkes-Barre Record and worked there until 1978, when unionized workers went on strike and formed The Citizens' Voice newspaper. He was a member of the board of directors of The Citizens' Voice and was foreman of the plate department until he retired in 1989.

James has been a member of the Jenkins Township Volunteer Fire Department since 1948 and served as Fire Chief from 1970 through 1991. He also belonged to the Luzerne County Fire Chiefs Association and the Greater Pittston Mutual Aid.

James is a member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Fox Hill Country Club, Knights of Columbus JFK Council #372 as Fourth Degree Knight, and a lifelong member of St. Mark's Church in Inkerman.

James and his wife, the former Jean McGarry, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. The couple has five children: James III, Mary Jo Pacchioni, William, Robert and Maureen Fetchko. They have seven grandchildren: Kathryn, James IV, Kelly, Mary Kate, William Jr., Michael and Megan.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating James Conlon Jr. upon being named Man of the Year by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.