Matt Cartwright

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor April Marie Kemp, who will receive WVIA's first ever Youth & Family Award. Ms. Kemp is the founder and program director of Marley's Mission. Marley's Mission is a nonprofit organization that provides equine-based therapy free of charge to children, and their families, who have experienced trauma. Ms. Kemp was born in San Leandro, California and is a 1996 graduate of Ridgeview High School in Paradise, California. In 2003, she moved to Pennsylvania. She has pursued a degree in Criminal Justice at Colorado Technical University. On July 5, 2009, Ms. Kemp's five-year-old daughter was attacked in their home in Taylor, Pennsylvania. After limited success with traditional therapy, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy was added to her daughter's regimen. Research has shown Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy yields a variety of benefits such as confidence, self-efficacy, self- concept, communication, anxiety reduction, and trust. Inspired by her daughter's progress with Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Ms. Kemp established Marley's Mission. Marley's Mission is housed on a 32-acre campus in Newton Township, Pennsylvania and utilizes twelve therapy horses in its program. Marley's Mission employs a team approach to healing children who have experienced trauma. The treatment team includes a specially trained Trauma Therapist and an Equine Specialist. The treatment team has been educated in the internationally recognized Equine-Assisted Therapy Model developed by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. It is an honor to recognize April Marie Kemp for her work helping children who have experienced trauma. I congratulate her for being the inaugural recipient of WVIA's Youth & Family Award. I wish her all the best as she continues the work of Marley's Mission.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond Capozucca, who will be honored by the Italian American Association of Luzerne County as Person of the Year during the organization's 39th Annual Columbus Day Banquet on October 9, 2016. Raymond was born May 25, 1939 in Pittston Township to Raymond and Emma Capozucca. After the death of his father, he was enrolled in the Hershey Industrial School for Orphan Boys, now known as Milton Hershey School. Raymond returned home, after graduating in 1957, and worked for two local plumbers. In 1962, founded his own plumbing, heating, and electric business. The business's name was changed to Capozucca Bros. when his brother, Albert, joined six months later. Both Raymond and his brother ran their business until they both retired in the early 2000s. Throughout the years, Raymond has been involved in numerous clubs and associations. He is a member of the Italian American Citizens Enjoyment Club and a charter member of the Pittston Township Lions Club. He helped found Pittston Township Little League and went on to serve on its board. He served on the board of United Services Agency. He held offices with the Pittston Township Fire Department and was on the board of directors of the Northeast Fair. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of Mt. Carmel, now known as St. Joseph Marello Parish, and the Flag Association of Pittston Township. It is an honor to recognize Raymond for being named the Italian American Association of Luzerne County's Person of the Year. I thank Raymond for all of the service he has given to his community, and I wish Raymond and the Italian American Association all the best this Columbus Day.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Albert Capozucca, who will be honored by the Italian American Association of Luzerne County as Person of the Year during the organization's 39th Annual Columbus Day Banquet on October 9, 2016. Albert was born October 9, 1936 in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania to Raymond and Emma Capozucca. After the death of his father, Albert enrolled in the Hershey Industrial School for Orphan Boys, now known as Milton Hershey School. He graduated in 1954 with a degree in vocational plumbing and heating. Albert was drafted into the army and served from November 1959 to February 1962. When that service concluded, he returned to the plumbing business. He and his brother, Ray Capozucca, formed Capozucca Bros. Plumbing and Heating. They later expanded their business to add Capozucca Brothers Oil Company. Albert worked with his brother until they both retired in the early 2000s. Albert remains active in his community and is involved in many organizations. He is a member of the St. Joseph Marello Parish in Pittston. He's served with Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department for a whopping 59 years. He is the current president of Pittston Township Lions club and serves as the club's representative for the Upper Valley Eye Bank Association. He helped establish the Pittston Township Little League, where he served on the board of directors for many years. He also served on the Pittston Township Sewer Authority Committee. Finally, Albert is a former member of the Pittston Knights of Columbus and is a member of both the Italian American Association of Luzerne County and the Italian Citizens Enjoyment Club. It is an honor to recognize Albert for being named Italian American Association of Luzerne County's Person of the Year. I am deeply grateful for his military service and his many contributions to his community. I wish Albert and the Italian American Association all the best.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel Rosemarie Hudock-Welch, who will be retiring from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard after three decades of service. Over the course of her career she has earned multiple awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Hudock-Welch was commissioned to the Air Force Reserve on September 17, 1984. She was assigned to Joint Base McGuire as a flight nurse until 1990. She went on to serve with the 913th Medical Squadron at Willow Grove. As a surgical nurse, Lieutenant Colonel Hudock-Welch was deployed in direct medical support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Hudock-Welch was transferred to the 109th Medical New York Air National Guard in Schenectady, NY. During this time, she deployed to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. In March 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Hudock- Welch was transferred to 193rd Medical Group and deployed to Afghanistan for direct medical support. In May 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Hudock-Welch became Officer in Charge of Nursing Services, 193rd Medical Group Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Under her leadership, nursing services personnel were prepared to provide medical support in response to peacetime or wartime missions at the state or federal level. It is an honor to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Hudock-Welch for her distinguished military career. Her decades of service are a tremendous contribution to the defense and welfare of our nation. I wish her all the best. May she find fulfillment in her retirement.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share a story of community spirit. On Saturday, September 17, an assembly of volunteers, coordinated by the Slate Belt Community Partnership and the Tots Gap Art Institute, dedicated the Flory Quarry Hoist and Slate Quarry heritage mural in downtown Bangor, Pennsylvania. Industrial historian Mike Piersa spearheaded the initiative and donated the 28,500 pound, 116-year-old hoist. It was built by the S. Flory Manufacturing Company not far from where it is now installed in Bangor's Bethel Park. Until 1980, the hoist was in use at the Albion Quarry in Pen Argyl, PA. Powered by a steam engine, it routinely lifted 10,000-pound slate blocks. The Slate Belt region of Pennsylvania was a major producer of slate used for shingles, blackboards, and pencils. The Slate Quarry mural features a day of work at a quarry. The Tots Gap Arts' Heritage Mural Education Program gives youth an active, creative role in community revitalization by promoting heritage and building community relationships and pride. For these good works, I commend this group of volunteers for investing in their past to invigorate the vitality of their future.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1076, the bipartisan no fly, no buy legislation, to honor the memory of 41-year-old Officer Matthew Gerald, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on the House floor.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Schuylkill United Way, which celebrates its 80th anniversary today, September 9, 2016. The Schuylkill United Way is dedicated to providing funding, guidance, and encouragement to partner organizations that provide a variety of programs and services to the residents of Schuylkill County. The Schuylkill United Way supports fifteen organizations and has provided invaluable assistance to the Schuylkill County community over the last 80 years. The organization was founded in 1936 to help local groups that offered human services at little or no cost. Originally known as the Community Chest, the organization became an independent member of United Way Worldwide in 1976 and changed its name to Schuylkill United Way. Today, Schuylkill United Way partners with entities such as American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and Meals on Wheels. Partnering efforts and contributions come from local businesses and individuals alike, and ninety-nine percent of the assistance marshalled stays within Schuylkill County. Schuylkill United Way organizes events like Stuff the Bus, which provides school supplies to children in need, and the Captain Jason B. Jones Day of Caring, where volunteers donate their time working at nonprofit and government locations. It is an honor to recognize the Schuylkill United Way as it celebrates 80 years of helping others. I am deeply grateful for the many services they provide to the people of Schuylkill County. May they continue their great work for welfare of their neighbors for many years to come.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Shenandoah, which celebrated its 150th anniversary on August 27, 2016. Shenandoah is located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The area that became Shenandoah was first settled in 1835 by Peter Kehley, who developed the land for farming. The settlement was maintained for two decades. After anthracite coal was discovered, the land was sold to the Philadelphia Land Company. Planning for the town began under Peter Schaeffer in 1862. Shenandoah was officially incorporated on January 16, 1866. Situated in the Middle Western Coal Field, the area around Shenandoah contained rich deposits of anthracite. As mining got under way, the borough's population grew in response to the increased demand for labor. Shenandoah became a hub for business, attracting depots for three major railroad companies to ship coal to New York and Philadelphia. Immigrants came first from Wales, Ireland, and Germany. Later, immigrants from Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia arrived. With each new wave of immigrants, parochial schools and places of worship arose unique to their own ethnic group. By the 1920s, Shenandoah had developed a garment industry with 15 large factories at the peak of clothing production. Today, Shenandoah is experiencing a revitalization. People are moving into the region, some in retirement and many to raise their families. Houses are being restored, businesses are being opened. Shenandoah is now home to popular brands such as Mrs. T's Pierogies, Lee's Oriental Foods, Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop, Lucky's, and Capitol's Kielbasy. It is an honor to recognize Shenandoah on its sesquicentennial. I am proud to represent a community so rich in history. May the people of Shenandoah be proud of their past and look forward to a bright future as they celebrate the city's 150th anniversary.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from New York for those important words. Either we protect our children from lead paint or we don't. Mr. Chairman, I don't think anybody here would want to live in a home or send their children to a school that was renovated by a company that recklessly did not have lead-safe training. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to take every step possible to prevent harmful lead exposure. Vote for my amendment, vote for the Lowey amendment, to improve this bill and help ensure that fewer children will suffer lead poisoning. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chair how much time I have remaining?

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment would strike section 429, which delays implementation of the EPA's lead renovation, repair, and painting rule. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 4 million households have children who are exposed to high levels of lead. This includes 535,000 children younger than the age of 5. The problem is particularly prevalent in low-income communities. Yet, even as lead poisoning is a front page news story, the majority ignores another threat from lead and paint. There is no safe blood level of lead for children. That is why it is so imperative that we do everything we can to help families avoid lead poisoning. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed reasonable requirements for workers to train and follow lead-safe work practices. It is important to mention that the rule does not apply to do-it- yourselfers or those making improvements to newer homes. Opponents argue that when EPA first proposed the rule back in 2008, the rule offered a training exemption for those contractors who used an EPA-approved test kit that meets specific criteria. There are now three EPA recognized test kits available on the market. In light of the tragedy in Flint, Michigan, it is unfathomable that this bill would actively strip one of EPA's tools for addressing lead paint in homes. If we do not remove this harmful rider, we are choosing to endanger the health of our children. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, the Lowey amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), I offer amendment No. 27.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Chairwoman, the gentleman's points are well taken that the status quo is preserved, and that is the problem. Section 425 would prohibit any change in the status quo and would prohibit the EPA from updating the definitions of the terms ``fill material'' or ``discharge of fill material'' under the Clean Water Act, thereby hamstringing the EPA from making any kind of sensible updating of those terms. Any attempt at this point to enumerate the number of jobs that could be lost in some as yet undefined change of those terms simply lacks credibility at this point. There is no point in hamstringing the EPA in this fashion by refusing to allow any further clarification of the terms ``fill material'' or ``discharge of fill material.'' Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, this amendment is very simple. It strikes section 425 of H.R. 5538. Section 425 would prohibit the EPA from updating the definition of the terms ``fill material'' or ``discharge of fill material'' under the Clean Water Act. These definitions underlie section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which governs dredge and fill permitting, one of the act's most important components. Put more simply, section 425 would continue giving real legal cover to mountaintop mining companies to dump mining waste into valley streams. As such, section 425 is an attack on the Clean Water Act. Now, mountaintop mining for coal produces a lot of unusable excess material, known as overburden. The cheapest and easiest way for industry to dispose of overburden is to bulldoze it into valleys and waterways surrounding these decapitated mountains. This had been illegal because the Clean Water Act categorized overburden as waste, which cannot be disposed of in that manner. However, in a 2002 giveaway to the mountaintop mining industry, the George W. Bush administration reclassified overburden as fill. This cleared the path for it to be dumped in mountain valleys once teeming with life. As if mining overburden were not enough, the definition of fill was expanded to also include material such as wood chips, construction debris, and plastic. As a result, every year, 120 miles of headwater streams are buried in mining debris. These so-called valley fills can be more than 1 mile long, each, and hundreds of feet deep. This overburden doesn't just take up space; it is also an environmental hazard. Mining debris can contain chemicals and toxins that pose health risks to humans and ecosystems alike. For example, studies have found substantially higher levels of selenium, a mineral that is toxic to fish in high doses, in rivers near mountaintop mine sites. These hazardous substances also pose real dangers to the downstream users of the water. Overburden dumping and the mining that causes it produce soil erosion and waterway siltation. A 2008 EPA study found that 90 percent of the streams downstream of surface mining had impaired aquatic life. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that the loss of forest and aquatic habitat to mountaintop mining affects almost 250 species, including several listed species. This practice also destroys an archetypal American landscape, one which gave rise to a unique culture which has shaped generations of Appalachian residents and which has left its imprint on the broader American culture. Allowing mountaintop mining operations to continue dumping their waste into our Nation's streams and rivers is both dangerous and irresponsible. I urge my colleagues to join me in putting an end to it. Allow EPA to do their work and protect the environment and the public's health. Support my amendment striking section 425. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, and I ask that it be considered.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Lehighton as it marks its 150th anniversary. Lehighton was founded in 1866, and the town celebrated its sesquicentennial for eight days from June 25 to July 2. Festivities included a street fair, music, naming the Citizen of the Century, and burying a Time Capsule. Located on the Lehigh River in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, Lehighton was originally established in 1746 as the German Moravian Brethren mission station, ``Gnadenhutten.'' In 1755, during the French and Indian War, the village was destroyed with only a few of the missionaries surviving. Lehighton had several developing industries in the 19th Century, such as lace and silk mills, meat packing, and foundries. The town was also home to a major repair facility for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The advent of the railroad proved to be an economic boost for the town, employing thousands of workers to operate and maintain the new system of transportation. By 1900, its population had grown to over 4,600, and it reached its peak in 1940 with 6,600 residents. Today, Lehighton is witnessing a revitalization of its downtown as residents find a new appreciation for its central location and historic architecture. It is an honor to recognize such an important milestone for Lehighton; I am proud to represent this historic city. As the town celebrates 150 years, I share its pride about its historic past, and I look forward to a bright future for all of its residents.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member from Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to another attempt by Republicans to undermine due process protections, prevent the President from finalizing rules during his last months in office, and override collective bargaining rights for Federal employees. In fact, this bill, H.R. 4361, eliminates the ability of agencies to issue rules toward the end of a President's term, assuming some kind of shoddy rulemaking to finalize a rule before a President's term is up. This kind of assumption is wrong. There is nothing shoddy going on. The Administrative Conference of the United States found most end-of-term rules related to routine matters or were issued in response to deadlines outside of the agency's control. This is nothing more than another effort to reverse the will of the American people when they reelected President Obama in 2012 by impairing the ability of our government to function in the last months of his term. Additionally, H.R. 4361 is like Christmas in July for those opposed to the labor rights of our fellow Americans, including anti-family provisions and provisions of dubious constitutionality. Specifically, this bill exempts from collective bargaining requirements any action taken by an agency head to limit, restrict, or prohibit access to a Web site that the agency head determines presents a security risk to the agency's IT systems. In practice, this would erode collective bargaining rights by excluding ``any impact or implementation'' of such an action from collective bargaining requirements, such as reasonable accommodations to allow an employee to communicate with family members or schools. H.R. 4361 also subjects the members of our Senior Executive Service to the political whims of Presidents by stripping them of their ability to appeal their termination after a decision by an administrative law judge. The Department of Justice has declined to defend the constitutionality of similar provisions before the court of appeals for the Federal circuit. H.R. 4361 should have no place in our American laws. I strongly urge my colleagues to keep it that way.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, with my compliments to the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New Jersey, as well as the ranking member, the gentleman from Indiana, I rise today to offer a bipartisan amendment which would prohibit the Department of Defense from conducting new A-76 studies, a process that both the GAO and the inspector general of the Department of Defense concluded could not demonstrate any savings to the taxpayer, and which has been subject to a congressional moratorium since the year 2010. Specifically, the A-76 process uses faulty methodology, not updated since 2003, to determine whether Federal civilian jobs should be outsourced. The DOD inspector general's report noted that this A-76 process fails to keep track of costs and savings. A-76, Mr. Chairman, is unmoored from fact, incorporating an arbitrary 12 percent overhead factor cost for Federal employees as opposed to contractors. The inspector general concluded that ``multimillion-dollar decisions are based, in part, on a factor not supported by data . . . Unless DOD develops a supportable rate or an alternative method to calculate a fair and reasonable rate, the results of future competitions will be questionable . . .'' Making decisions based on such a faulty process is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars. Maintaining the moratorium on the A-76 process is particularly important to the bipartisan House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus. While statutory law currently shields the core work of depots from the A-76 process, this process could still subject a depot's non-core work to its flawed assumptions. Absent the protections of my amendment, significant depot workload, as well as arsenals, ammunition plants, and the rest of the organic industrial base operations, will be open to these flawed A-76 studies and eventual outsourcing. This risks disruption, putting at risk the critical skills needed to support our warfighters, and interrupting workflow just when our military is in great flux. This kind of disruption could lead to significant delays in providing weapons and equipment to our warfighters, reducing readiness and weakening our organic industrial base, as well as reducing jobs in our local communities. This body, this House, owes a duty to our warfighters and the taxpayers. Allowing A-76 studies to move forward would be a breach of both. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment to maintain the moratorium on A-76 studies, shielding our military readiness from a process in desperate need of drastic revision. I thank Representative Don Beyer, as well as Representatives Walter Jones and Rob Bishop across the aisle, for their support on this important amendment. Additionally, I would like to thank the American Federation of Government Employees for their support as well, especially the hardworking men and women at Tobyhanna Army Depot in my own district. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 120th Anniversary of the Twin Shaft Mining Disaster in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Fifty-eight miners lost their lives during a massive cave-in, most of whom were boys and men of Lithuanian and Irish descent. Their memories will be honored June 25, 2016 at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish in Pittston. In the early hours of June 28, 1896, miners from the Newton Coal Company were at work in the Red Ash Vein of the Twin Shaft Mine. During the shift, two hundred acres inside of the mine collapsed, trapping the crew of workers four hundred feet underground. Volunteers were quickly assembled to respond to the crisis. Attempts were made to excavate two tunnels in an effort to bring the miners to safety. However, rescue efforts proved to be futile and the victims' bodies were never recovered. The tragic event remains one of the largest coal mining disasters in Pennsylvania history. A formal investigation of the cause of the disaster was opened by Pennsylvania Governor Daniel H. Hastings on July 10, 1896. Testimony indicated that the mine pillars displayed signs of instability in the weeks leading up to the accident. The investigation commission first issued its safety recommendations on September 25, 1896. The commission's findings helped make a strong case for better safety standards and workers' rights for mine workers. It is a solemn responsibility of northeastern Pennsylvania civic leaders and citizens to honor and remember those who perished in the Twin Shaft Mine Disaster. As the Greater Pittston area marks the 120th Anniversary of this tragedy, may we never forget the sacrifices made by our coal mine workers and all they have contributed to our nation's economic success.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, we are here debating H. Con. Res. 89, which purports to express the sense of Congress. But really, nothing could be further from the truth, because what it does is express the nonsense of Congress. We are here witnessing the latest example of climate denial brought to the floor by the majority. The entire world agrees that climate change is a pressing problem, except this extreme wing of the Republican Party. Climate change is already affecting people across the globe. As Dr. McDermott from Washington pointed out already, the nonpartisan CBO recently noted the increasing and enormous budgetary impact future storms will have on our Nation, and attributed the majority of this problem to climate change. And I am here to tell you these costs will fall disproportionately on low-income people, low-income communities, and people of color in our country. Are we here on the floor debating a real solution brought forward by the majority? Are we here having hearings? No, we are not. We are here debating a resolution cutting off a solution that economists from all corners of the Earth believe is the most efficient way to address climate change. A properly designed price on carbon can improve the overall performance of the U.S. economy, protect competitiveness, create jobs, promote investment, and lead us toward American energy independence. The gentleman from Oregon is right: instead of debating this resolution, we should be having hearings discussing ways that we can sensibly lead the transition to renewable fuels and clean energy sources. Even big oil companies like Royal Dutch Shell and BP have voiced support for carbon taxes in recent years, acknowledging that climate change is real and that we should be doing something about it. And I say, Mr. Speaker, vote ``no'' on H. Con. Res. 89, and let's start a real debate, a sensible debate on this existential threat to our Nation and to the globe.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim and Suzie Connors, who will be recognized at the Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania's Inaugural Community Recognition Event on June 8, 2016. Mr. and Mrs. Connors will be honored for their work with Jewish Family Service and their long history of service to the Greater Scranton Community. The Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a human service organization, which reflects the Jewish tradition of caring and compassion for all people in need. Through professional counseling, advocacy, and educational programming, its services seek to enhance and strengthen the quality of individual, family, and community life. Mr. and Mrs. Connors are well known as community leaders committed to helping others throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Jim served as Mayor of Scranton from 1990 to 2002. Suzie was an educator in the Scranton school district for over thirty years and is a former board president for Jewish Family Service. Today, they both serve as members on the board of directors for Jewish Family Service. It is an honor to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Connors. I wish them the best as they continue to work to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.