Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Judge Joseph J. Carmody as he is awarded the W. Francis Swingle Award by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their annual banquet on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.

W. Francis Swingle, a lifelong Pittstonian, was a professor of English at King's College and tirelessly aided the community and encouraged college students to give back to society. To that end, Judge Carmody has proven himself a worthy recipient of this award.

Judge Carmody is a lifelong resident of Greater Pittston and a former Past President of the Friendly Sons. He was elected to serve as the West Side District Justice in 2004.

Judge Carmody has been an attorney in the area for more than 27 years. In his career, he has served as First Assistant District Attorney of Luzerne County and Solicitor to the Wyoming Area School District and several municipalities. He is a member of St. Mary of Assumption Church and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He has served on numerous boards, including St. Michael's School for Boys and the Fox Hill Country Club.

Judge Carmody is the son of Jule Carmody of West Pittston and the late Joseph Carmody. He is married to the former Catherine Sowa, and the couple has five children: Joseph, Christopher, Matthew, Sara and Michael.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Judge Joseph J. Carmody as he receives the W. Francis Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston 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 a father and son who have received the Michael F. King Jr. Armed Forces Veteran's Award from the Quiet Man Society on behalf of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County.

This award is presented annually to local individuals who, after serving in our country's military, returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania and by their actions and involvement in community events exhibited continued service to God, Family and Country.

The award was endowed by The Quiet Man Society in honor of Mr. King, an original member of the Society. Mr. King, a twice-wounded veteran of WorId War II, is most fondly remembered for the countless hours he selflessly worked on behalf of St. Paul's Church, Holy Rosary Church, Holy Family Residence, the Penn Ridge Club and the Irish American Men's Association.

The previous winners of the Award had each served, as Mr. King, in WWII. The Award Committee, in selecting this year's honorees, has attempted to answer a question pondered not only by our region's WWII veterans but also by our country's Founding Fathers: Would there be individuals in future generations who would answer the ``call to arms'' to preserve and protect the freedoms and liberties that the prior generations had fought so hard to gain. The Committee believes that the sacrifices, dedication and service that the Kerrigans have given for our country and community provide the answer to that question.

Robert Kerrigan Sr. is a native of Scranton and a 1966 graduate of Holy Rosary High School. He was drafted in August 1968 and served in the U.S. Infantry during the Vietnam War from January 1969 to January 1970. He and his lovely wife, Ellen Bauer Kerrigan, reside in the East Mountain section of Scranton. They have four children: Michael, Robert Jr., Kevin and Colleen.

Mr. Kerrigan Sr. is most widely recognized as a member of Local 81 IBEW, where he has served on the Executive Board for 12 years. In addition, he has been a member of IBEW's Joint Apprentice Training Council for several years. This council has overseen the electrical installation of lighting for numerous charitable organizations, including St. Joseph's Center, Friendship House and the Italian Festival.

Without hesitation, it can be said that the various events held by these groups were successful in large part because of the selfless commitment of Mr. Kerrigan Sr. and all the members of Local 81 IBEW. Because of their efforts, thousands of members of the community have enjoyed themselves at many festivals, and have had the opportunity to contribute to other very worthy causes.

Mr. Kerrigan Sr. is also a member of VFW Post 5209, Veterans of Vietnam Inc., Post 1.

The younger Mr. Kerrigan is a 1997 graduate of Scranton High School. He has attended Penn State University. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 2001 and was attached to the 828th Quartermaster Company. He has served with the 233rd Quartermaster Company in Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 through November 2003. Most recently, he was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for Outstanding Duty and Selfless Commitment.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Robert Kerrigan Sr. and Robert Kerrigan Jr., a father and son who have demonstrated their love of country and who are most deserving of this award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Dr. David Greenwald and Carol Saidman Greenwald of Kingston, who have been selected to received the Seligman J. Strauss Lodge No. 139 of B'nai B'rith Community Service Award. They received the award at the 59th annual B'nai B'rith Lincoln Day Dinner at the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains.

The Community Service Award is presented to outstanding citizens who, by their courageous leadership and dedication on behalf of humanity, have made a valuable contribution to the fabric of our society. David and Carol exemplify these criteria because of their dedication to making their community a better place.

David is the founder of Medical Oncology Associates. He currently serves as Chairman of the Cancer Committee of Wyoming Valley Health Care System and serves on the Board of the Jewish Community Center and the Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary. He has served as past President of the Jewish Federation and past Chairman of the United Jewish Campaign of the Wyoming Valley. He is a past Board member of the United Way. David has served as Chief of Hematology/Oncology of Medical Staff of the Wyoming Valley Health Care System. David was a past President of the Medical Staff and was recently elected as President- Elect.

David is a Magna Cum Laude 1966 graduate of Wilkes University and an Honor graduate of Temple University School of Medicine where he was named to Alpha Omega Alpha, the National Medical School Honor Society. David is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and a Diplomat of the American College of Physicians with board certifications in both Internal Medicine and the subspecialty of Medical Oncology. He was instrumental in establishing the Medical Oncology Patient Prescription Fund, a charitable endeavor that provides prescription assistance to cancer patients in need.

Carol is a National Certified and Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Grief and Death Education Therapist. She is also a Certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Counselor. She is a counselor at Medical Oncology Associates and a partner in Pierce Counseling, a private practice specializing in individual and family counseling. Additionally, Carol volunteers as a rape crisis counselor for the Victims Resource Center.

Carol was President of Hadassah from 1983-1985, a former President of Wyoming Seminary Upper School Parents Council and a member of the Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees. She has served as a member of the Temple Israel Board of Trustees and the Boards of Directors of the Jewish Community

Center of Wyoming Valley and the Victims Resource Center. Carol also served as the United Jewish Appeal Campaign Co-Chairperson and Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Wilkes-Barre. Carol is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Associations, and the Association of Death Education and Counseling. She is a graduate of the 2000 class of Leadership Wilkes- Barre.

Carol graduated from Wilkes University in 1966 and in 1996 received a Masters degree in Community Counseling from the University of Scranton. She was admitted to Chi Omega Iota, the International Counseling Honor Society, and was listed in ``Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.''

Carol and David live in Kingston and are the parents of six children: Rachel, who is married to Jay Skaistis; Hannah; Nathaniel; Sarah; Naomi; and Zachary. They have one granddaughter, Talia Rose Skaistis.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this couple who has given so much of their time and talents to their community and are most deserving of this award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Ron D'Eliseo, who was recognized at a reception on February 20, 2005 at The Grammercy Ballroom in Pittston. The Sunday Dispatch chose Ron D'Eliseo as the Greater Pittston Person of the Year for 2004.

Ron D'Eliseo and his wife Brenda have three children, Robert, Ronnie and Christen. Robert, who will be nine years old in July, has autism. Ron chose to channel his heartache into finding a way to help others. He decided to raise money for autism awareness and research, organizing a motorcycle benefit cruise called the Ride for Robert. The benefit has Robert riding with Ron on his American Iron Horse Texas Chopper or his old Harley Davidson.

The Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation is a result of the Ride for Robert. The Ride, now in its sixth year, has helped raise more than $40,000. Ron's efforts have helped parents of autistic children understand this devastating illness. He established and maintains a library at Milestone's in Wyoming.

Through Earthly Angels, Ron has helped sponsor autistic children learn to ride horses at a summer camp, a swimming program at the Greater Pittston YMCA and a music therapy program at St. Joseph's Center in Scranton. More recently, Earthly Angels made a donation to the family of an autistic boy from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who died from cold weather exposure when he wandered away from home.

Ron is planning an autism conference and dinner in 2006. Ron also is active in his church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Pittston.

Ron D'Eliseo is an everyday hero who took his pain and used it to help others. A humble man, I know that Ron does not take credit for what he has done. Instead, he praises his

family and friends, people who have supported his cause, and perhaps most of all, Robert.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this father who has given so much of himself.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Betty Miller, who was recognized at a reception held February 20, 2005, at the Grammercy Ballroom in Pittston. The Sunday Dispatch has chosen Betty Miller as the recipient of the Joseph F. Saporito Lifetime of Service Award.

My good friend Betty Miller is a selfless woman who has devoted her life to making life better for others. Of all her accomplishments--and there are many--Betty is perhaps proudest of the Wyoming Monument Association. She is in her 47th year as president of this organization, and she was preceded by her mother-in-law. Sarah Perkins Miller was president for 35 years.

The Association has more than 350 members--all women--many of whom are direct descendents of those who died in the Wyoming Massacre of July 3, 1778. Betty's ancestors, William Reynolds and Elias Roberts, are listed on the Monument among the victims of the Wyoming Massacre.

The first attempts to build a memorial date back to 1809. In the spring of 1841, the women of Luzeme County came together under the name Ladies Luzeme Monumental Association and raised the money for the monument. In 1860, the State of Pennsylvania gave the title to the land to the Wyoming Monument Association.

I was pleased to work with Betty in getting the Wyoming Monument rightfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Betty is proud of the Monument and proud of the role women have played in its history.

Betty became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution 60 years ago. She has served as the First Vice President General of the national organization, making her the highest-ranked Pennsylvania member ever. Betty just stepped down after her second stint as chair of the Wyoming Valley Chapter.

Betty has served as state president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in Pennsylvania, president of the Wyoming Woman's Club, and chair of the board of the Luzeme County Library System.

Betty has been actively involved with the Greater Pittston Salvation Army Advisory Board for 22 years and served as chair of the board on two occasions. During the latest Red Kettle Campaign, Betty--at the age of 88--rang a bell for the Salvation Army for 6 days in a row, from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening.

In 1976, she was appointed to the Bicentennial Commission and participated in planning the nation's observance of its 200th anniversary. She received a special commendation from the governor for her role in the Bicentennial.

Betty volunteers at the Veterans' Administration Hospital. Betty was presented with the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Membership Award by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia and later received the Humanitarian Award for ``distinguished service to her fellow man.''

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this fine lady who has given so much of herself. She is most deserving of accolades from The Sunday Dispatch.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives an op-ed piece written by the brother of one of my constituents who was killed in Iraq. SGT Sherwood Baker of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, served as a member of the Second Battalion, 103rd Armor of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Sergeant Baker was only 30 years old when he died in a warehouse explosion in Baghdad on April 26, 2004, where he was searching for weapons of mass destruction. Sergeant Baker made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country, searching for weapons our government now concedes cannot be found and most likely did not exist.

Dante Zappala writes with the pain of one who has lost a loved one; more than 1,400 other families are grieving for the loss of their loved ones who died in the service of our country. Dante's heartfelt plea for accountability should resonate among all Americans, especially those of us in Congress who authorized President Bush to lead our Nation into war.

The Bush Administration convinced me that Iraq posed an ``imminent threat'' to the national security of the United States. I now believe that it was never a threat. Until I have a full understanding of what caused us to be so wrong, I doubt that this Administration can convince me again that they are right in their decisions based on their analysis of intelligence.

Dante is right: We are all accountable. Now that the contentious election of 2004 is behind us and President Bush has been inaugurated to a second term, I hope that we can acknowledge the mistakes we made that led us to war, learn from those mistakes, and avoid making them in the future. Our Nation's security depends on it.

Mr. Speaker, Congress must play a stronger role in holding this Administration accountable for the innocent lives that have been sacrificed.

I submit the following for entry into the Congressional Record:

Why My Brother Died

(By Dante Zappala)

This week, the White House announced, with little fanfare,

that the two-year search for weapons of mass destruction in

Iraq had finally ended, and it acknowledged that no such

weapons existed there at the time of the U.S. invasion in

2003.

For many, this may be a story of only passing interest. But

for me and my family, it resonates with profound depth.

My brother was Sgt. Sherwood Baker. He was a member of the

Pennsylvania National Guard deployed a year ago with his unit

out of Wilkes-Barre. He said goodbye to his wife and his 9-

year-old son, boarded a bus and went to Ft. Dix, N.J., to be

hastily retrained. His seven years of Guard training as a

forward observer was practically worthless because he would

not face combat. All he needed to do was learn how to not

die.

He received a crash course in convoy security, including

practice in running over cardboard cutouts of children. We

bought him a GPS unit and walkie-talkies because he wasn't

supplied with them. In Iraq, Sherwood was assigned to the

Iraq Survey Group and joined the search for weapons of mass

destruction.

David Kay, who led the group until January 2004, had

already stated that they did not exist. Former United Nations

weapons inspector Hans Blix had expressed serious doubts

about their presence during prewar inspections. In fact, a

cadre of former U.N. inspectors and U.S. generals had been

saying for years that Iraq posed no threat to our country. On

April 26, 2004, the Iraq Survey Group, at the behest of the

stubborn administration sitting safely in office buildings in

Washington, was still on its fruitless but dangerous search.

My brother stood atop his Humvee, securing the perimeter in

front of a suspect building in Baghdad. But as soldiers

entered the building, it exploded; the official cause is

still not known. Sherwood was struck by debris in the back of

his head and neck, and he was killed.

Since that day, my family and I have lived with the grief

of losing a loved one. We have struggled to explain his death

to his son. We have gazed at the shards of life scattered at

our feet, in wonder of its fragility, in perpetual catharsis

with God.

I have moved from frustration to disappointment to anger.

And now I have arrived at a place not of understanding but of

hope--blind hope that this will change.

The Iraq Survey Group's final report, which was filed in

October but revealed only on Wednesday, confirmed what we

knew all along. And as my mother cried in the kitchen, the

nation barely blinked.

I am left now with a single word seared into my

consciousness: accountability. The chance to hold our

administration's feet to that flame has passed. But what of

our citizenry? We are the ones who truly failed. We shut down

our ability to think critically, to listen, to converse and

to act. We are to blame.

Even with every prewar assumption having been proved false,

today more than 130,000 U.S. soldiers are trying to stay

alive in a foreign desert with no clear mission at hand.

At home, the sidelines are overcrowded with patriots. These

Americans cower from the fight they instigated in Iraq. In a

time of war and record budget deficits, many are loath to

even pay their taxes. In the end, however, it is not their

family members who are at risk, and they do not sit up at

night pleading with fate to spare them.

Change is vital. We must remind ourselves that the war with

Iraq was not a mistake but rather a flagrant abuse of power

by our leaders--and a case of shameful negligence by the rest

of us for letting it happen. The consequence is more than a

quagmire. The consequence is the death of our national

treasure--our soldiers.

We are all accountable. We all share the responsibility of

what has been destroyed in our name. Let us begin to right

the wrongs we have done to our country by accepting that

responsibility.

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

House of Representatives to pay tribute to my very good friends Judd and Susan Shoval and their company, GUARD Insurance, who received the Wilkes-Barre 2005 Community Leadership Award at a ceremony on Friday at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The foundation of GUARD was an entrepreneurial expansion for Judd and Susan and a move that showed their commitment to investing in the community. Prior to GUARD, they had founded a commercial property and casualty insurance agency called Shoval Associates. As their business grew, they established an independent insurance company specializing in workers' compensation insurance in 1983.

In 2004, A.M. Best Co. recognized GUARD Insurance as an e-Fusion Finalist. This is a national awards program that spotlights innovative usage of technology to address insurance business challenges. In 2001, GUARD was ranked second among the 50 best large places to work in Pennsylvania. Ernst and Young recognized Judd and Susan with the Regional Entrepreneur-of-the-Year Award in 2001.

Judd and Susan--always community minded--kept their home office in Wilkes-Barre. They operate seven field offices and have four subsidiaries. Their company employs 560 and insures 27,000 employers.

Judd and Susan are tremendously involved in the community. I have known Susan very well as a director of the Earth Conservancy, a non- profit organization I helped found dedicated to reclaiming and developing 16,000 acres of former coal mine lands. I will always be grateful for the time and leadership she devoted to this worthy cause.

Judd is also involved with the community, including service on the boards of local universities, the Jewish Community Center and the United Jewish Campaign. He is also the chairman of CityVest, a nonprofit organization I helped found to serve as a developer of last resort. CityVest has already renovated several classic old homes on South Franklin Street and is now embarking on perhaps Wilkes-Barre's premiere landmark, The Hotel Sterling.

Judd earned a law degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Originally from Austria, Judd had moved to America in the early 1970s. A native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Susan graduated magna cum laude with an economics degree from Cornell University and with highest honors from the College of Insurance in New York City. Judd and Susan have four children: Ben, Deborah, Karyn, and Rebecca.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating these two entrepreneurs who have given so much to their community. They are most deserving of the Wilkes-Barre 2005 Community Leadership Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Wilkes-Barre Council 302 of the Knights of Columbus on their 107th Anniversary and to Raymond John Lenahan for his service as Grand Knight.

The Knights of Columbus are an outstanding example of how a fraternal group that seeks social and financial fellowship for its members is also committed to serving others. Council 302, in particular, deserves particular praise because it has the unique distinction of having organized a complete military unit in World War l. Called the Knights of Columbus Ambulance Company of Wilkes-Barre, PA, these men served in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The men achieved national recognition for their service to our country.

The Knights of Columbus has always supported charitable work through monetary donations. In 1917, the council raised $5,411 for the War Fund Committee. In 1920, St. Mary's Convent was destroyed by fire and Council 302 presented the Sisters of Mercy with a check for $2,500, raised from voluntary donations.

Another example of the selflessness of the Knights of Columbus is their involvement in blood drives. They began a blood donor campaign with Mercy Hospital in March 1947 and Council 302 is still involved with donations to the local Red Cross.

Throughout the years, the Knights of Columbus have had fine men serve as Grand Knights. Raymond Lenahan has served in that position for the past two years, from 2002 through 2004.

Mr. Lenahan, a native of Hanover Township, is the son of the late Anthony J. and Luella Lenahan. He served as Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Lenahan resides with his wife Patricia in Forty Fort. The couple has four children and two grandchildren. They are members of St. Aloysius Parish in Wilkes-Barre.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to represent an organization as worthy as the Knights of Columbus. Please join me in congratulating them as they celebrate their 107th Anniversary on Saturday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 126 members of the Bravo Battery of the First Battalion of the 109th Field Artillery, based in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, who are returning home this week after a year in Iraq.

Our brave soldiers have served their country valiantly and we welcome them home with the utmost gratitude for their selflessness. In this time of war, it is important that we realize the sacrifices our troops endure. Americans have a history of making the necessary sacrifices for fighting for the ideals in which we believe. Americans have consistently stepped up and taken the lead in ensuring democracy through voluntary military service.

The Bravo Battery consists of: Richard Osborne Adams, David Paul Anthony, Stephen John Arnold, Richard Anthony Aulicino, Joseph Baloh, Michael William Bauder, James Lee Bell, Joshua Michael Bohinski, Jason Otto Bolesta; Joshua Brandes, Dennis Michael Bressler, Travis C. Brigalia, Christian Benjamin Brown, Mark Earl Brown, Ronald Joseph Bruza, Jr., Kyle Edward Buff, Robert Anthony Burge, Kevin Thomas Burritt, Raymond Charles Cannell, Gary Bruce Caton, Jr., John Lawrence Cavanaugh, Richard Lloyd Chesnet, Jr., Gerald B. Cobb, Scott Elliott Cousins;

Ryan Hazen Craig, Christopher Alan Daniel, Scott Anthony Domanowski, Robert Patrick Donahue, Dean Emery Doty, Nicholas Andrew Dulina, William Sanderson Dutzar, Jason John Ellison, Eric Anthony Eppler, Eugene Joseph Everett, Rodney Stephen Fedorchak, Robert Allen Franks, Terrance Charles Frederick, James Joseph Gallagher, James Michael Gallagher, Patrick Edward Gallagher, Tomas Rafael Garcia, Mario Luis Gonzalez, Jr., Jeremy James Granahan, Nicholas Joseph Guzenski, Justin Matthew Harris, William Harris, Kelly Scott Harter, Kevin Patrick Hettler,

Bruce Alan Hinds II, David Andrew Hoover, Kevin Thomas Hoover, Christopher Andrew Hudock, Matthew David Jacobs, Elijah Kareeme Jones, James Joseph Kania;

Daniel Steven Kankiewicz, Christopher James Keen, Christopher Warren Keller, Brendan Kevin Kelly, Jared Raymond Kennedy, David John Kinney, Rory Francis Kirwan, Rhyan Lee Kleiner, Neil Charles Klinges, Nicholas Andrews Kopco, Raymond Louis Krzak, Brett David Kunkle, Charles Cushing Ladd V, George Leibman, Matthew Lipo, Billy Joe Lorah, Phillip Glenn Losito, Andrew Lukashewski, Brian Lukashewski, Joseph Andrew Lukashewski, Matthew Lupico, Nicholas Richard Lynn, Leonard John Macking III, Brian Jason Martin, William Frank Marusak, Michael Aloysius McKeown, Adam Charles Metz, Kenneth Paul Miller, Jr., Robert Jason Miller, Robert John Miller, Paul Minnicks IV, David Joseph Miscavage, Cliff Antonio Morales, Joseph John Novackowski, Patrick Francis O'Boyle, Walter Robert Ohl, Thomas Robert O'Leary, Charles Alex Pavlick, Francis William Petroski, Kris Sean Petrosky, Sr., Tony Phan;

Francis Joseph Poperowitz, Neil Aaron Ravitz, Jason Rexford Robbins, Timothy Michael Roberts, Jeremy John Rusczyk, Stephen Mark Rutkowski, Sean Paul Sarokas, John Sedon IV, Daniel Thomas Seip IV, Christopher Jude Sicurella, Jonathan Neil Suva, Anthony William Skrypski, K. Jaime Sorber, Daniel Christian Stella, Robert Paul Sternick, William Fredrick Stiefel, Jr., Jamie Lee Sult, Justin George Thomas, William Lewis Thubbron, Jonathan David Torres, Daniel Kieran Walsh, Nicholas William Walters, Wesley James Waters, Leonard Kenneth Weston, Jr., Adam Thomas Wilcox, Aron Preston Wright, Joshua Paul Yetter, Michael Lee Yetter, Eric Mark Zagata, and Robert Louis Zarnoch.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking these soldiers for their courage and love of country. It is truly an honor to serve them in the United States Congress. Please join me in welcoming these fine Americans home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to my good friend Evie Rafalko McNulty on being named the Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman of the Year by the Pennsylvania Federation of Women. Every Democrat in Northeastern Pennsylvania who knows Evie--and most do--knows how much she deserves this award.

For the past 6 years, Evie has served as the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds. Evie got her start in politics volunteering on a campaign when she was just 17 years old, working on the campaign for the Democratic candidate for District Attorney in Lackawanna County. After that, she worked on campaign after campaign, including her husband Jim's successful bid for Mayor of Scranton. She has been a member of the Electoral College and a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions, including the 2004 Convention in Boston.

Evie is a staple in Northeastern Pennsylvania politics. She has advanced the role of women in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men. She works very hard for the Democratic Party and its candidates and she knows how to get things accomplished. Evie is not shy. She is never afraid to speak her mind and she can tell a good story. She is outgoing and makes everyone feel comfortable. The saying ``There are no strangers, only friends I haven't met yet'' truly fits this remarkable woman. She works in politics for the right reasons--she wants to make our region a better place.

Evie's interest in government also led her to work with the United States Conference of Mayors and the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.

The Pennsylvania Federation of Women recently presented Evie with the Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman of the Year Award, which is given to women who have made significant contributions within the state, have helped the Federation, aided the Democratic Party and assisted other women in getting elected to office. Previous recipients of the award include Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

Evie is doing her part to bring along the next generation of Democratic women. In my election of 2002, as well as this year's presidential race, she brought along her young niece Nicole, whom I fully expect will follow in her footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Evie Rafalko McNulty on being named Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman of the Year. Northeastern Pennsylvania is fortunate to have her as a native daughter, and I am blessed to have her as a friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to my good friend Robert Manganiello upon his retirement as publisher of the Citizens' Voice newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Bob is a veteran in the newspaper business. He became publisher of the Voice in 1997 after being its general manager for 12 years. In that capacity, Bob assisted the staff in several transitions, guiding the staff through significant reorganization and growth.

Bob began a 45-year newspaper career at The Sunday Dispatch in Pittston, and later worked at the Scrantonian/Tribune in Scranton and the Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company. Bob came to the Citizens' Voice and worked in the editorial department. He then took the position of marketing director.

Although Bob has retired, he agreed to stay on with the newspaper in an advisory position until Spring of 2005.

Bob and his wife Mary Claire live in Plains Township and have one daughter, Carolyn Calabrese, and a grandson named Christopher.

Bob has always served the community though civic and volunteer organizations. He is a member of the board of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Diamond City Partnership, Penn State/Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board, St. Vincent DePaul Kitchen and Greater Pittston Area Chamber of Commerce. Bob serves on the Membership Services Committee of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. He is on the executive board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Bob Manganiello on a long and fruitful career. It is a privilege to know a man who is so dedicated to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to my good friend Paul L. Golias, who is retiring at the end of this month from the Citizens' Voice newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Paul and I have a long history together, going back to my life well before I ran for Congress. As a young attorney, I was involved in many public issues which Paul covered as a young reporter. I learned to trust him to be fair and accurate when I represented a minority bloc of authority members who filed suit to cancel a corrupt sewage treatment plant contract.

Paul has journalism in his blood. He loves the chase of a good story and sees journalists as watchdogs, holding the government accountable for its actions. His colleagues have nothing but praise for his integrity and ethics.

He spent his entire life in the newspaper business, starting as a mailroom employee for the Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company when he was a high school student in 1959. Paul ``paid his dues'' in the business, first working as a copyboy and librarian before moving up the ranks to reporter.

Paul got his first reporting job with the Wilkes-Barre Record in 1965. Three years later, he went over to The Times Leader/The Evening News.

Paul came to the Citizens' Voice and became night city editor in 1979. He helped the newspaper in its quick transition to publishing seven days a week. In 1982, he was named managing editor, a position he held for 22 years. This past year, Paul left that position to be a columnist. Thousands of readers, including myself, have enjoyed his wit and insight.

Throughout his career, Paul worked on a number of stories that had a tremendous impact on Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 1972, Paul covered the flooding that Tropical Storm Agnes caused, leaving more than 20,000 people homeless and causing $1 billion in damage. More than 20 years later, Paul used this experience to lead the coverage of the flood of January 1996, noting the importance of levees along the Susquehanna River to protect the Wyoming Valley.

Paul wrote a series on the decline of the garment industry in our region that won an award from the Associated Press. In his first year as managing editor, he led his staff's coverage of the mass murder of 13 people in 1982.

Because of his lifelong commitment to the community, Paul always recognized the significance of events which casual observers often missed. During the debate over redistricting in late 2001, he understood that divining Luzerne County into three Congressional districts would have been devastating to the region. Paul ran daily stories with accompanying maps to highlight the folly of the initial plan. Public outcry stopped the redistricting plan. The district which I represent today exists in large part because of the Citizens' Voice reporting, which Paul directed.

As a citizen, Paul felt that being active in the community was important. He served on the boards of the former Welfare Planning Council, Catholic Youth Center, Valley Santa and the advisory board for of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, Boy Scouts of America.

In addition to serving on the advisory board, Paul also served as both a cubmaster and scoutmaster for 10 years. He coached a seniors' softball and a teeners' baseball team.

Paul fulfilled his civic duty as a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. For six years, he served in the First Battalion, 109th Field Artillery, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

Above all, Paul has been a good father and grandfather while committing himself to a business in which it is sometimes difficult to maintain a strong family relationship. Paul is married to Elaine Marie Hudak of Hanover Township. They have two sons, Joseph and Kenneth, and one daughter, Lynn. One thing is certain--I am sure the Golias household was filled with colorful stories. Paul has four grandchildren, Katie and Paul Golias and Meghan and James McGuire.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating Paul on a 39- year career filled with accomplishments. Paul Golias has made tremendous contributions to our community, and it is an honor to call him my friend and a privilege to serve him in Congress. I wish him a retirement filled with joyful times with his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my respected colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Larry Herbster as he retires from his position as General Manager of WBRE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Larry has worked for Nexstar Broadcasting for five years and was named Vice President and General Manager of WBRE in 2000.

Larry was born in Scranton and is a 1961 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Scranton and his master's degree in business administration from New York University's Stern Graduate School of Business.

Larry has worked in the media since 1967, beginning with LIFE Magazine, TIME-LIFE Broadcast and Cable and TIME-LIFE Books. He also worked in various capacities with The Washington Post and The Gannett Co., Inc. Larry was President of two Gannett television stations in Oklahoma City and in Buffalo, New York before retiring in 1999. He then became Vice President and General Manager of Nexstar Broadcasting's Rochester, New York CBS affiliate before coming back home to Northeastern Pennsylvania. He and his wife Anna reside in Wilkes-Barre.

Larry has been active in community affairs throughout his entire life, serving on the boards of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Diamond City Partnership, the Boy Scouts of America and Scranton Tomorrow. In his spare time, Larry is an avid sailor. Larry will teach on the graduate school level now that he is retiring.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Larry Herbster upon his retirement. It is truly a privilege to represent a man who has worked diligently to dispense the news to the public and who has served his community with a variety of civic activities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my respected colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the joyous occasion of its 75th anniversary this Sunday in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

This church has a rich and proud history in the Eleventh District of Pennsylvania. Groundbreaking for St. Michael's began on September 2, 1929. The dedicated men and women were the founding members who provided the community with a place to worship. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to worship at St. Michael's. Members of the congregation are involved in a variety of civic activities that show their dedication to helping those who are less fortunate.

The church community shares its heritage through food each June. Visitors can partake in delicious foods such as homemade pyrohy, holubtsi and halushki, just to name a few. Through the Annual Food Festival, church members celebrate culture. But more than that, the festival unites people as it exposes a different ethnicity, fostering understanding and appreciation.

I would like to recognize Rev. Nestor S. Kowal, pastor of St. Michael's, as well as Karen Nebesky and Charles Warholak, Jr., co- chairpersons of the anniversary celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me today in acknowledging the significant contributions made by St. Michael's Ukrainian Church and to congratulate its members on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Rabbi Samuel Sandhaus as he is honored today by B'nai B'rith.

Rabbi Sandhaus has an impressive educational and work background. He has been the executive director of the Jewish Home of eastern Pennsylvania since 1983. He graduated from Yeshiva University in 1968, where he received his bachelor of arts degree in economics. He went on to attain his master's degree in Bible and was ordained. In 1976 he received his MBA in Finance and Management from Boston University and in 1979 was licensed as a nursing home administrator by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1984 and in 1987, he received post- graduate certificates in Health Services Administration and Gerontology from Marywood University.

From 1971 through 1979, Rabbi Sandhaus served as a Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor for the United States Army. Rabbi Sandhaus has served in Fort Carson, CO; Nuremberg, Germany; Staten Island, NY; and with the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell, KY. Rabbi Sandhaus was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for his service.

Rabbi Sandhaus is a past president of the Scranton chapter of Sigma Phi Omega, National Gerontology Academic and Professional Honor Society. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging. In addition, Rabbi Sandhaus has served as past Co-chairman of the Quality Assurance Committee of the Association of Jewish Aging Services.

Within the Scranton community, Rabbi Sandhaus has served as a division cochairman in multiple United Jewish Campaigns. He is a member of the board of directors of the Scranton Hebrew Day School, where he served as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. He has also served on the board of directors of the Scranton Counseling Center as a member of its Finance Committee.

Rabbi Sandhaus is currently the Chaplain of the Sandy Weissberger/ Leon Kaplan Post 165 Jewish War Veterans and he is the secretary/ treasurer of the Webster Towers high-rise for the aging. He is an instructor at Marywood University's School of Continuing Education and is a Management Consultant for the Elan Gardens for the Assisted Living Facility. Rabbi Sandhaus is a member of the board of directors of the United Way.

In addition to his civic service, Rabbi Sandhaus is, above all, a devoted husband and father. He is married to Sonia, and the couple is blessed with 8 lovely children and 11 wonderful grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and an honor to represent a man who is so dedicated to serving his community. I ask that my colleagues pay tribute to Rabbi Sandhaus as he receives this well-deserved honor.