Matt Cartwright

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Ritz Theater on its 115th anniversary. The occasion was marked with a ribbon cutting, birthday cake, and historic tour on September 2, 2022. In 1906, Italian immigrant and talented wax modeler S.Z. Poli built the Ritz Theater--then called the Poli--for $250,000. The grand theater could seat more than 2,000 theatergoers in its orchestra, balcony, and second story balcony. On Labor Day 1907, the theater opened its doors as Scranton's premier vaudeville theater and attracted some of the biggest names in the industry including Harry Houdini, W.C. Fields, and Will Rogers. News stories from the time reported a young Buster Keaton tended bar across the street in between performances. The reputation of the theater and the superstars who performed on its stage sparked the popular saying ``if you can play Scranton, you can play anywhere.'' On October 6, 1930, the theater began screening films and was rebranded as the Ritz Theater. In 1937, the theater was remodeled in the Art Deco style; the second story balcony was removed; and it was again renamed and became the Comerford Theater. By 1941, the theater was managed by the legendary Paramount Pictures, Inc. through their subsidiary, Frank Walker. The theater was once again remodeled, and on May 5, 1950, the theater reopened with a screening of Paid in Full which starred Scranton's own Lizabeth Scott. Over the next several decades, the theater thrived, drawing crowds of moviegoers downtown, but when the theater began to struggle financially, the main floor was converted into a mini mall in 1978 with the theater operations relocating to the former balcony. As competition from two multiplexes continued to mount, the Ritz shifted to showing short-run movies, and in July 2000, ``U-571'' was the last film shown before the theater closed. In the early 2000s, the building was purchased, and the buyer found many of the treasures of the theater's heyday still intact. In 2016, the Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA, an arts program for kids, teens, and adults, took up residence in the Ritz. Today, more than 300 students attend classes in music, theater, and dance and participate in more than 24 annual productions. The Ritz also houses the Ritz Mainstage Players, a semi-professional, audition-based company that performs musicals and plays. Through triumphs and challenges, the Ritz Theater has been a beacon for the arts in downtown Scranton for more than a century, and I admire the ingenuity and determination it took to preserve its legacy. I am honored to join with everyone at the Ritz Theater to celebrate their 115th anniversary. May they continue to find great success and welcome audiences through their doors for many years to come.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Pittston Area Girls Softball Team on their perfect season and state championship win. On June 16, 2022, the Patriots clinched their 25th win of the season to be crowned the PIAA Class 5A state softball champions. Under the direction of head coach Frank Parente and Tori Para, Sage Weidlich, and Skylar Borthwick, three seasoned senior players as captains, the Patriots started the season believing they had the talent and the drive to do something special. They were right. They thrived during conference play in the second largest of PIAA's six enrollment classifications without losing a game. The team headed to the District 2 Class 5A softball championship game with an undefeated record and sailed to a 1-0 victory over West Scranton High School with pitcher Gianna Adams throwing a no-hitter. Now 21-0, the Patriots began their state championship run. After defeating South Western 13 to 0 and Lampeter-Strasburg, the defending state champions, 3 to 2, the team found themselves one game away from the state championship match, staring down the Oxford High School Hornets. Despite the Hornets rallying in the bottom of the sixth to score four runs, the Patriots came out on top, securing their place to compete for the state title. This marked the first state championship game appearance for Pittston Area in any team sport in school history. On July 16, the Patriots took Penn State University's Beard Field against the Armstrong High School River Hawks for the state championship title. The River Hawks were looking for redemption after their loss to Lampeter-Strasburg in the title game in 2021. Bella Giardina helped the team secure an early lead with a two-run single, and Adams dominated from the pitcher's mound. With two more runs, the Patriots secured a 4-0 lead over the River Hawks, which they held onto to be named state champions. I am honored to recognize the talented young women of the Pittston Area High School Softball Team on their outstanding season and state championship win. They have made the entire 8th Congressional District proud with their exceptional athletic prowess and sportsmanship. May they continue to find success in their athletic pursuits and all their future endeavors.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor George Graham for his 50 years at WVIA FM, our region's NPR affiliate. George was celebrated by his colleagues, family, and friends on August 29, 2022, for his service to our region and public radio. George was born and raised in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. After high school, he enrolled at Duke University to study electrical engineering. During his time at Duke, he served as the program director of the student radio station, bringing eclectic, contemporary music radio programming to the Durham, North Carolina-based university. After graduating magna cum laude in 1972, George returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania where he was hired as the first employee of WVIA Radio to do studio design and construction for WVIA-FM. With his impressive background of on-air work at Duke, he soon found himself with a regular on-air spot. While on the air, he introduced his popular show Mixed Bag which has become the longest, continuously running album adult alternative program in the country. The show features weekly album reviews, new release segments, and a Friday night request show. In 1976, he started Homegrown Music to highlight regional artists from a variety of genres including rock, folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and World Music. Performances have been held in the studio weekly with a monthly concert for a live studio audience. George also hosts All That Jazz, which also highlights and provides live radio coverage of regional jazz festivals from the Delaware Water Gap and Scranton. When WVIA acquired Chiaroscuro Records, a 50-year-old jazz label, in 2010, George was appointed the director of artistry and repertoire, overseeing the extensive archive and production of new recordings and reissues. With his impressive background in the industry, he has written for many regional publications and lends his time and expertise as a freelance recording engineer, producer, and mastering engineer. George has been an essential voice over the air waves championing regional musical talent, and generations of music connoisseurs and casual fans alike have tuned in to discover new music and listen to George's impeccably curated shows. I am honored to recognize George for his five decades of service to Northeastern Pennsylvania public radio and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the 2022 Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame inductees. This year's class of sports superstars and coaching legends includes a famed sports field technician, collegiate standouts, high school MVPs, and a two-time Olympian. Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who have brought fame and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania through their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors. The John Louis Popple Chapter is one of the 31 sanctioned chapters in Pennsylvania and has inducted over 600 members from their five-county region over the past three decades. This year's inductees include: Amy Mantush Filanowski, athlete and coach--track and field and cross country. Dr. Pamela A. Hughes, DO, athlete--volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Edward S. Kopec, Jr., athlete and coach--cross country and track and field. Megan Krebs Kriso, athlete--field hockey, soccer, basketball; coach-- field hockey. Shelley Black Leap, athlete--track and field. Timothy M. McGinley, coach and official--wrestling. Linda Messner, athlete--track and field, basketball, and golf; coach--volleyball, softball, and swimming. Rosalyn Polacek, athlete--basketball, soccer, and field hockey; coach--field hockey. Joshua M. Richmond SFC, athlete and two-time Olympian--shooting. Brea Lynn Seabrook, athlete--basketball, field hockey, track, soccer, and softball. Christopher J. Shovlin, athlete and coach--basketball. Charles Robert Suppon, Jr., athlete--basketball, track and field, and football. George P. Toma, sports turf manager. Dr. Gary Thomas Verazin, MD, athlete--basketball, baseball, and track and field. Each person honored has made local sports history, through their outstanding feats of athletic achievement or by leading their teams to victory as coaches. They have left an indelible mark on regional athletics, and I am pleased to celebrate their contributions to sports. It is an honor to recognize these 14 talented individuals on their induction into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame. May their stories and impressive careers inspire the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving for excellence.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding time. I am addressing H.R. 7283, the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines Act, or the STREAM Act. It has been accurately described up to now as a responsible, commonsense, technical fix to the Department of the Interior's Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program. It is a small change, but it will have a large, long-lasting, positive effect on State efforts to clean up legacy pollution from coal mining. Specifically, the bill allows States to hold back 30 percent of existing allocations for long-term operating and maintenance costs of abandoned mine land reclamation. When rainwater and river water runs over oxidized pyrite in abandoned coal mines, it turns color, and the whole area becomes toxic. The damage can last for hundreds or even thousands of years if nothing is done to fix it. In my beautiful State of Pennsylvania, acid mine drainage, or AMD, affects over 5,000 miles of waterways. No one wants to live or work near these dead zones in rivers and streams. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission estimates an annual loss of $29 million in revenue from recreational fishing in such areas. We know how to fix the problem. Cleaning up acid mine drainage always creates jobs, brings back recreation opportunities, boosts local economies, and makes communities healthier and stronger and much more attractive to visitors and new investments. Acid mine drainage requires costly, ongoing maintenance, and H.R. 7283 helps pay for that ongoing maintenance. It is not a new idea. The legacy Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program, which has been on the books for years, currently allows States to set aside up to 30 percent of their annual regular abandoned mine lands allocation to cover the long-term costs of operating AMD treatment facilities and maintaining them over the long term. It is optional, and States have to enact their own programs to engage in the program. Eleven States have done so, so far. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama have chosen to do so. H.R. 7283 opens the innovation door by making up to 30 percent of all AML funds available for such acid mine drainage projects if States want to go that way. There is no mandate here. It is their choice. Nothing in current law or the STREAM Act is mandatory, and nothing in the bill raises or authorizes any additional Federal spending for abandoned mine land or acid mine drainage work. What it gives States is the important option of restoring waterways and maintaining those restoration projects for many years to come. It is a responsible way to spend this money by extending it out over time so that we don't blow it all at once and then let existing mine reclamation areas fall apart. The STREAM Act can take existing Federal allocations for AML cleanup and make it last a very long time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his support. I thank Representative McKinley, to be sure, for his leadership in the House on this effort, and I thank all the other bipartisan cosponsors of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. I thank Chairman Larson for yielding me the time, and it is an honor and a privilege for me to speak out in favor of this wonderful bill, Social Security 2100. Social Security, something that has been a triumph for American government for close to a hundred years now; Social Security that has kept seniors out of poverty. It used to be that in this country, seniors died in poverty, died of starvation. That happened in America. Don't think it couldn't happen again. But under the Social Security Administration, it doesn't happen. Seniors who work their whole lives and pay into this insurance program reap the benefit of doing so and have money coming to them. It isn't a lot, but it is keeping people alive and out of poverty, and out of poverty through some of the most extreme downturns in our economy. It is something that protected seniors from starving to death during terrible moments of economic stress and distress in this country. Social Security is something that all of us Americans ought rightfully to be proud of; that it was enacted during the Roosevelt administration; that has been protected and defended for generation after generation; and that it has succeeded in keeping Americans out of poverty in the most dire circumstances. It is a legacy that the Democratic party are very, very proud of, and all of us band together at a moment's notice to protect it when it is threatened by those who think ill of it. Those instances have not been few or far between. There was the time in the early 2000s when there was this push to privatize Social Security. Instead of paying into the system and having it protected, no. The idea was just give the money to the people so they could invest it in the stock market. Let's throw the money in the stock market. It was amazing that that was something that was brought up around 2004, 2005, in that timeframe. What happened in 2008? The stock market cratered. If people had put their Social Security investments into the stock market, they would have been destitute. That is what happens when you so-called privatize Social Security. The people that want to push that are the ones that want to push the stock market up for their own particular personal gain. But what it does at the same time is that it endangers and puts at risk the lifetime of earnings that people have put into Social Security to make their own retirements safe. We can't do that. What else? They came up with this wonderful concept, you know. The chairman talked about the COLA, the cost-of-living adjustments, that come with Social Security. Certainly, they haven't been anything to brag about over the years, but as meager and as minimal as they have been, something came up about 10 years ago called change CPI. Now, that was a $50 economist's expression that meant lower cost of living increases for seniors. That is what they wanted--lower cost-of- living increases than what you were already getting on Social Security. We stood foursquare, shoulder to shoulder, against that ridiculous provision, and we put an end to that kind of talk. What else? They wanted to raise the retirement age. They always talk about that. The right-wingers want to raise the retirement age. How fair is that, raising the retirement age for people who have been lifting and carrying and climbing and working with their hands and putting their backs into their work, a whole lifetime? You want to make them work into their 70s? Is that what we think Social Security is for? Is that what we think it is all about? Absolutely not. Democrats have stood foursquare and shoulder to shoulder against that, raising the retirement age. But it gets better. As the chairman mentioned, there are enemies to Social Security, and, you know, a lot of times they don't say it out loud. They would like to get rid of Social Security. They would like to privatize it. They would like to cut back on the benefits. They wring their hands about how much it costs, while all the time ignoring all of the people that it saves and keeps out of poverty and away from starvation. No, no. They ignore all of that. They would like to do away with it. You know what? Just recently, these people came out from the shadows and identified themselves. In fact, there is a Senator by the name of Rick Scott from Florida who has said out loud that he wants Federal legislation, including Social Security and Medicare, to sunset every 5 years and have to be reauthorized by a fresh vote. Sunset. Now, that is a euphemism for end. It is a euphemism for killing. It is a euphemism for doing away with one of the most successful programs in American legislation history. Sunset Social Security means do away with it, and that is all they are talking about. They have the temerity now to say out loud what many of them have been thinking in private: Let's get rid of Social Security. I say, enough. Enough of this detraction from Social Security, this wonderful program. I say, let's listen to Chairman Larson. Let's make Social Security stronger. Let's make it better. Let's make it more realistic for the benefits that it pays out. Let's raise the benefits by 2 percent. Let's make it stronger so it is going to last longer. We haven't touched this program for generation after generation. Now is the time to enact Social Security 2100 to protect our seniors and this wonderful, enormously successful insurance program for all Americans; people who retire, people who are disabled. This is a program that we must honor and respect and raise up, and we can accomplish this through this wonderful bill authored by my friend, John Larson of Connecticut, Social Security 2100.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Dr. Peter Pettinato, VMD, who will be named the UNICO National President at the group's annual convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1922, UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the United States. Peter was born in Carbondale Pennsylvania in 1962. He graduated from Carbondale Area Junior-Senior High School in 1980 as the valedictorian of his class. He continued his academic career at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park where he studied animal bioscience and chemistry. In May 1984, he graduated from Penn State with his Bachelor of Science degree and went on to attend graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with his Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris in 1989. After receiving his VMD, he returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania and began working at the Carbondale Veterinary Hospital as a staff veterinarian. In July 1996, he joined Johnson Technical Institute as an instructor of veterinary technology and the staff veterinarian. Seeking to return to private practice, Peter opened his own clinic, French Hill Veterinary Clinic, in Greenfield Township in 1999, and he continues to own and operate the practice. In 1989, Peter joined the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO, and over the past three decades, he has dedicated himself to the organization and truly embodied the motto of service above self. He was elected the president of Carbondale UNICO in 1996, and he has served as the secretary since July 2000. He has served as the governor of Pennsylvania District II twice. Additionally, he spent eight years as the secretary for the eastern region. He was elected 2nd vice president in 2018, 1st vice president in 2019, and executive vice president in 2021. He has also been both a trustee and secretary of the UNICO foundation. Peter has dedicated his life to the service of others and is actively involved in his community in addition to his work with UNICO. He is a past president of the Northeastern PA Veterinary Medical Association and past president of the Board of Trustees of the Carbondale Public Library. He also participates in bringing theatrical productions to life in the region. He has served as president of both the Area Community Theater and the Coal Company Theater. He is the founder and president of the Royal Mutineers: A Fairly Talented Theater Company, and he is a member of the Ritz Company Players. I am honored to congratulate Peter as he takes on this leadership role with UNICO National. May he have a successful and fulfilling tenure as president during which I know he will lead with intention and integrity.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs as its members celebrate its 100th anniversary. The occasion will be celebrated with a dinner on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. On June 9, 1922, prominent businessmen and professionals gathered at the Penn Stroud Hotel to meet with the state Kiwanis Club organizer to discuss chartering a Kiwanis Club in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. On June 19, 1922, the Club was officially chartered with A.R.J. Wallace elected president and the Penn Stroud Hotel chosen as the headquarters for meetings. Charter Night was celebrated on July 20, 1922 by Club members and delegates from Kiwanis Clubs in Scranton, Easton, and other cities. That first year featured a Ladies' Night, five social events, a joint meeting with Rotary and a Rotary-Kiwanis golf match, youth and adult service activities, and projects to support the community. Committed to the Kiwanis mission of improving the lives of children, the biggest project done by the Club during its first two decades was the Stroudsburg playground. The Club also financially supported a swimming pool and the East Stroudsburg playground, establishing recreational facilities used by hundreds of children in the region. To encourage literacy, the Club purchased the first bookmobile. The Club also supported several adult activities and actively engaged with the community. Today, the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburg continues to uphold the original mission of its founders to serve children of the world and their own community. A highlight of the year is the annual Pancake Day event to raise money to support their scholarship program. This year, due to the event's great success, the Club awarded 12 scholarships to high school students in Monroe County totaling more than $12,000. As they look toward their next 100 years, the Club is planning to honor the first projects completed by the Club by enhancing six local parks with accessible playground equipment so children of all needs and abilities can enjoy the outdoors at the community's parks and playgrounds. I am honored to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs for 100 years of giving back to the Monroe County community and supporting our region's youngest citizens. I wish them great success and many fulfilling years to come.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 5344.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. Under the direction of Music Director Melisse Brunet and Executive Director Nancy Sanderson, the NEPA Philharmonic is a premier symphony orchestra bringing high caliber pops performances and classical music to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Until the late 1960s, Northeastern Pennsylvania was home to two independent orchestras in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. In early 1969, the boards of the two symphonies began to discuss the idea of increased cooperation between the two groups, and by October, a goal was set to have a joint orchestra give four performances in each city during the 1970-71 season. In January of 1970, the joint venture announced: a two- year trial period of a united symphony orchestra to be called the Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Philharmonic. The new orchestra was under the direction of Scranton's, Beatrice Brown, then one of the few female conductors in the country, and Wilkes-Barre's Ferdinand Liva. After Brown's departure in 1971, conductor of the Pittsburg Symphony, Polish-born Thomas Michalak, was hired as the first official music director after the Philharmonic's historic incorporation. The first performances were held in October 1972 at the Irem Temple in Wilkes-Barre and at the Masonic Temple in Scranton, featuring Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Schuman's Piano Concerto in A Minor. In 1979, Hugh Wolff, educated at Harvard University and the Peabody Institute, took over the baton. Under Wolff's direction, the orchestra soared to new heights and established its reputation as a prestigious symphony. In 1982, the Philharmonic gained statewide recognition during a televised performance of a work commissioned for the Commonwealth's tercentennial. During the early 1980s, the Philharmonic also began to attract world renown guest artists. In 1986, Wolff left the symphony, and the board appointed London-Born and Cambridge-educated Hugh Keegan to the podium. Over 14 seasons, he grew the orchestra into one of the country's best regional orchestras with an impressively broad repertoire. Following Keegan's tenure, the orchestra continued to thrive under the tutelage of Clyde Mitchell and later Lawrence Loh. Today, the orchestra continues to strive for and deliver the highest level of musical excellence and remains the only fully professional symphony in the region. The Philharmonic also provides arts outreach and education to foster the next generation of musical talent. I am honored to join with the NEPA Philharmonic to celebrate 50 years of making music in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I look forward to seeing their future musical accomplishments, and I wish them great success as they continue to bring exceptional performances to our theaters and concert halls.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak about my critical amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As a Nation, what we want to do is help our young working population find jobs and meet their career potential. That is exactly what YouthBuild has done for the last 40 years. The YouthBuild program funds workforce training initiatives focused on 16- to 24-year-old individuals without a high school diploma. These young adults come from challenging backgrounds and they need skills and resources to successfully participate in the domestic labor market, and YouthBuild gives them just that opportunity. However, there is always room for improvement--and that is why we have this amendment--especially when it comes to ensuring that young adults with disabilities are best positioned to successfully enter the workforce. Currently, lack of affordable and accessible transportation creates significant barriers for disabled people that want to work. Madam Speaker, 13.4 million Americans have disabilities which limit their ability to travel, including traveling to the workplace. We have to ensure that transportation to and from the workplace is available for disabled youth transitioning into the workforce. My amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act allows disabled YouthBuild participants to use funds for transportation. With this amendment, we can remove a massive obstacle from the path of these disabled young adults. We can make going to work one step easier so they can earn a living and support their families. No American should be deprived of a fair chance to become and remain productive members of our American society. Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to support my amendment and allow designated YouthBuild funding to be used for work-related transportation.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the PA 211 Northeast/ Help Line for 50 years of service to Northeastern Pennsylvania in partnership with the Family Service Association. For the past five decades, the Help Line has been a source for anyone seeking referrals to social service and support agencies or information in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This occasion will be marked with a Spring Fling and Auction celebration on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes and the resulting flood devastated the region, causing billions of dollars of damage and leaving citizens in need of food, shelter, and other necessities. In response to this tragedy, the Wilkes-Barre City Demonstration Agency, the Department of Public Welfare, and the Wyoming Valley United Fund all came together to establish and provide financial support for the Wilkes-Barre Information System, later renamed PA 211 Help Line, to provide vital information for the survivors of this disaster. They chose Family Service Association to operate the service. During the first year, 3,000 calls were answered regarding food, utility information, and transport services as the region slowly recovered from the flood. In 1975, after entering into agreements with several area agencies, the Help Line became a twenty-four-hour crisis hotline. Soon after, additional agencies signed on, and Help Line was now the crisis center for most Wyoming Valley social service agencies. While continuing to provide information and referrals, Help Line has also become a place to call when an individual needs someone to listen to them, and a team of crisis caseworkers is able to provide support and referrals to additional services as needed. In 2011, Help Line, now operating under its current name, grew beyond an active listing of local agencies to include regional, state, and national resources Since 1972, Help Line has answered more than 3.1 million calls from its 17-county coverage area and beyond. The team has responded to numerous disasters over the years such as the blizzard of 1993, the September 11th terrorist attacks, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Help Line continues to grow and thrive. With one phone number, callers can freely obtain resources on how to access thousands of programs and services aiming to improve the quality of their lives. I am honored to congratulate the Family Service Association and PA 211 Northeast/Help Line for 50 years of steadfast dedication to supporting the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I wish them great success in the future as they continue to provide essential services to those who need it most.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Joseph F. Long, Jr. who will be awarded the Achievement Award by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their annual gathering on March 17, 2022. Joseph attended Bishop Hoban High School. and after graduating in 1982, he continued his education at Kings College, earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education. He went on to receive two master's degrees from Wilkes-University, the first in 2004 in classroom technology and the second in 2006 in educational leadership. In 1997, Joseph began his teaching career as a middle school math and science teacher at St. Mary's Assumption School in Pittston, Pennsylvania. In 2001, he accepted a position teaching technology at Pittston Area Intermediate Center while also completing his educational leadership training. In 2006, Joseph transitioned from the classroom to administration, working for the Greater Nanticoke Area School District. While at Nanticoke, he was: trained and certified in the Student Assistant Program (SAP) and completed the state mandated National Institute of School Leadership Courses. Joseph then took on the role of principal of Montgomery Avenue Intermediate Center for the Wyoming Area School District. In 2014, he received his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Edinboro University, and today he serves as the superintendent of the Northwest Area School District in Shickshinny. Always invigorated by being around young people and helping them reach their full potential, Joseph was a successful youth sports coach. He began his coaching career in 1985 at Plains Junior High School for the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams. In 1990, he started coaching basketball at E.L. Meyers High School where he helped lead the varsity team to four Wyoming Valley Conference Championships, one PIAA District II second place finish, and four state tournament appearances. In 1997. Joseph accepted the head varsity coach position at Seton Catholic High School. During his ten years with the Eagles, his teams won over 130 games, two Wyoming Valley Conference Championships, and one PIAA District Two Championship and had two PIAA District II second places finishes and four state tournament appearances. While at Seton, he was named Wyoming Valley Conference Coach of the Year twice. Joseph's coaching career came to an end after four years at Luzerne County Community College. In addition to his work as an educator and coach. Joseph is a dedicated volunteer in his community. He is an active member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, serving as the 104th president of the organization in 2018. He has been the treasurer for the board of directors of the Greater Pittston Library and the Jenkins Township Little League. Since 2013, he has also been the assistant district administrator for the PA District 16/31 Little League Board in charge of the major league boy's baseball division. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus as a member of the board, and in 2013, he was awarded his Fourth Degree Knighthood. I am honored to join with the Greater Pittston friendly Sons of St. Patrick in recognizing Joseph for his tireless commitment to serving his community and uplifting young people through sport and education. May he continue to find fulfillment and purpose in this work. I wish him the best this St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor William J. Thornton who will be awarded the W. Francis Swingle Award by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their annual gathering on March 17, 2022. Bill, son of Bill Thornton and Kathie Bender Elechko, was raised in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, along with his four siblings. He graduated from Wyoming Area High School with the Class of 1994, and he attended Penn State University where he earned a degree in management science and information systems. He later went on to receive an MBA in finance from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Bill began his career as a technology consultant working in the Philadelphia area with life sciences companies including Pfizer, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lily. He then transitioned to working as a computer programmer for Amgen, a biotech company that specializes in products for treatment of blood disorders, osteoporosis, and other inflammatory conditions. Continuing his work on the technical side of health care, Bill joined the team at Allergan, a global leader in medical aesthetics, eye care, and neurological disorders. He spent 11 years at Allergan as an IT executive working across business units in research and development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing, and he was the IT leader for the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia, supporting 17 countries and $1 billion in revenue. Bill currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for Sarepta Therapeutics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His role at Sarepta supports their mission to engineer solutions for rare diseases with science that is on the forefront of precision genetic medicine. Bill is also a partner and member of Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan School of Management. Bill is a sustaining member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. His maternal grandfather, Ted Bender, proudly served as the 60th president of the organization in 1973. Bill was awarded the Friendly Sons Annual Student Scholarship in 1994, and his wife, Susan, was a scholarship recipient in 1995. Bill is a dedicated volunteer and is actively involved in his local community to support youth sports and school events. He and his wife have three daughters, Erin, Emily, and Allie. I am honored to join with the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in recognizing Bill as the 2022 Swingle Award Winner. He has dedicated his career to supporting cutting edge medical research in the life sciences industry while also volunteering his time to support his community. May he continue to find fulfillment in his work and giving back to his fellow citizens.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Robert J. Joyce who will be named the Man of the Year by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their annual gathering on March 17, 2022. Bob, a lifelong resident of Avoca, Pennsylvania, is the son of the late Robert and Eleanor Burns Joyce. He graduated from Pittston Area High School before attending the Pennsylvania State University's Smeal College of Business where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He then studied finance at the graduate level at the University of Scranton's Kania School of Management. He is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware and Leadership Wilkes-Barre. Bob has had a successful career in the finance and insurance industries. He served as the Vice President of Finance at the Eastern Bank, N.A. in Wilkes-Barre, and he is currently a Vice President of the Plateau Group, Inc., an insurance holding company. He is responsible for managing, marketing, and distribution of specialty insurance lines for lenders throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic. He held similar roles at AIG American General and USLIFE Corporation. Bob shares his expertise in the industry by serving on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Financial Services Association and as a member of the Independent Community Bankers Association of America and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers. In addition to his professional pursuits, Bob is an active community volunteer. He is a member of Queen of the Apostles Parish where he serves on the Finance Council. He is a Trustee and Third-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Cardinal John J. O'Connor Council 12967 in Avoca. He has volunteered as a youth sports coach for the Avoca-Dupont Little League and managed the Avoca-Dupont-Pittston Teener League Team. He was a co-founder of the Our Lady of Peace-Holy Cross Junior High School Baseball Team. He is a longtime member of and former basketball coach for the Avoca Jolly Boys Association. Bob is also a proud member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and served as Toastmaster for the 90th annual gathering in 2004. Bob is married to Noreen Nixon Joyce, and they have two children, Bobby, a Philadelphia-based accountant, and Bridgeen, a graduate student at Georgetown University. I am honored to join the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in recognizing Bob as the 2022 Man of the Year. He has built a successful career in finance while continuing to honor his Avoca roots by tirelessly giving back to and supporting his community. May he continue to find professional success and satisfaction in community- based endeavors. I wish him the best this St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Temple Israel of Scranton and its congregation who will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Temple's founding June 10-12, 2022. The congregation was organized in July 1921, but the celebration to mark this joyous occasion was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 14, 1921, a group of Jews gathered at the YMCA in response to urging by their peers to establish a modern synagogue in the City of Scranton. The result of that founders meeting was Temple Israel, a synagogue that ``would comply with the thoughts of the American Jew and would be conducted in accordance with the best traditions of Judaism.'' On September 21, 1921, Rabbi Alfred H. Kahn was installed as the first rabbi. During the final months of 1921, a Hebrew School was organized, the Temple was granted its charter, and the constitution and by-laws of the Temple were adopted. On April 11, 1923, plans to build a new Temple began, and a committee to oversee the process was formed with Isadore Finkelstein as chairman. Over the next three years, the committee drafted a report, raised funds, approved architectural plans, and hired contractors. On May 18, 1926, they broke ground for the new Temple, and on September 11, 1927, Rabbi Max Arzt dedicated the Temple in the afternoon and an evening banquet followed. The celebrations continued throughout the week with a Hebrew School Night, Ladies' Auxiliary Night, Open House Night, the Dedication Ball, and culminated with religious services on Friday and Saturday. Rabbi Arzt, who served Temple Israel from 1924 to 1939 before joining the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, was not the only prominent clergy member to lead the congregation. Other distinguished clergy include Rabbis Simon Shoop and David Geffen and Cantor William S. Horn, who served 50 years as cantor and youth instructor for the Temple Israel Junior Congregation and Hebrew School, which educated thousands of Scranton's Jewish youths over the past 100 years. Today, Temple Israel remains the only Conservative Synagogue in Lackawanna County and boasts a vibrant and welcoming congregation in the heart of the City of Scranton. Rabbi Miriam Spitzer, one of the first female rabbis, and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon, who has served for more than two decades, are the Temple's current clergy. They, along with the dedicated volunteers who serve as officers and on the board of directors, work tirelessly to foster an environment and community to meet the spiritual, educational, and social needs of their members. I am honored to join with Rabbi Spitzer and the entire Temple Israel congregation in celebrating 100 years of worship in the City of Scranton. Temple Israel has been an essential part of the Scranton community and Lackawanna County at large as a center for Jewish thought, learning, and worship. This multigenerational congregation that celebrates diversity, spirituality, and community has welcomed countless worshipers over the years, and I know it will continue to be a beacon of Jewish faith and tradition for many generations to come.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of this omnibus bill, in particular, the Commerce- Justice-Science title of the bill. In commerce it makes smart investments that create good-paying American jobs with economic growth. It supports American manufacturing. In justice, it makes funding increases for the police, creating better circumstances for public safety, for fighting crime, reducing gang and gun violence and in hate crime prevention. And in science, it provides robust support for things Americans are proud of like NASA, the National Science Foundation, climate science research. Mr. Speaker, I thank the staff for a lot of hard work on this bill. I thank Ranking Member Aderholt for working with me, and I urge support for this package.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor James A. Conahan who will be named the 2022 Greater Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Man of the Year at the organization's annual gathering on Friday, March 11, 2022. James joins an impressive cohort of men recognized by the Friendly Sons as Man of the Year, including his father who was honored in 2002. James, born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is the son of James Francis and Clare Conahan. He graduated from E.L. Meyers High School with the Class of 1981 and went on to attend King's College, earning a degree in health care management and playing baseball for the Monarchs. James began his career in the health care field at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he worked as the manager of the sterile processing and distribution department. Following his work at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, he joined the staff at Scranton Community Medical Center, now Geisinger CMC, as the operating room materials manager. For the past 24 years, James has worked as an executive sales account manager for 3M Medical Solutions Division where he serves the acute hospital market. James has been a longtime supporter and member of the Greater Wilkes- Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, promoting and preserving Irish heritage in our region. He has served as president and president advisor, and he is the current chair of the Annual Golf Committee and Scholarship Committee, which supports a scholarship for local college students of Irish descent. He has been, and continues to be, involved in many of the Friendly Sons' endeavors, including the guest bartender program, the annual Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick's Day celebration, and the Irish teacher's program. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Michael ``Mickey'' Hayden Memorial Award by past president and Hayden's grandson, Patrick Peters, for his commitment preserving the region's Irish heritage. In addition to his service to the Friendly Sons, James has been a familiar face throughout the community, lending his time and expertise to organizations in the area. As a former collegiate baseball player, he shared his love and knowledge of the game as an official for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and as president of the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the PIAA Baseball Umpires. He spent ten years on the board of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority as chair of the Personnel Committee and assistant treasurer. As a lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre, James has been actively involved in promoting the growth and development of the city. He currently sits on the boards of the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority and Wilkes-Barre Municipal Authority. He also serves as ad hoc chair of the Wilkes-Barre Redevelopment Authority. It is an honor to join with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in recognizing James as the Man of the Year. He has been a great champion of the City of Wilkes-Barre and the preservation of Irish American heritage in the region. I wish him all the best on St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, as we heard last night in the President's State of the Union, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in our Nation's economic foundation and our Nation's competitiveness. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes it possible for us to invest in passenger rail expansion and restoration; rebuild our roads, our bridges, our water systems, and our sewer systems; reclaim abandoned mine lands and reduce pollution; and so much more. It is the solution to improving our competitiveness on the world stage and recovering from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. After years of talking about passing an infrastructure bill and week after week of infrastructure weeks, we have finally done it. We will begin seeing the benefits quite soon. Thank God for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, here is the deal. When we send our servicemembers into harm's way the deal is that we are going to take care of them when they get back home. It is more than a deal; it is a pact. It is something sacred. But for far too long Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs have been slow in acting on that pact citing the high cost or the lack of science. The result is a disability claims benefit process that is cumbersome and places the burden on the veteran himself or herself to prove toxic exposure. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment which streamlines this process. It helps ease the burden of the disability benefit claims process on servicemembers and their families by, number one, requiring the Secretary of the VA to share a list of resources for toxic-exposed veterans, caregivers of toxic-exposed veterans, and survivors of toxic- exposed vets, national veterans service organizations, and other veterans' groups. Number two, it requires the VA Secretary to share an outreach program with those VSOs. I believe we have to take every step possible to ensure that we offer the best care to those who have served our Nation. My amendment is a step forward in reaching the goal that servicemembers and their families should be made aware of every resource, and that includes the resources included in the Honoring our PACT Act.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor John C. Fletcher, who will be named the Man of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Paul ``Hook'' O'Malley Division 4 at their annual gathering on March 1, 2022. John, the son of the late Elizabeth Charles and Bill E. Fletcher, was born on April 2, 1955 in Niagara Falls, New York. He, along with his three siblings, Bob, Linda, and Beth, attended Niagara Falls schools. In 1972, Bill moved his family to Scranton where he opened Fletcher's Hilltop Garage on Jackson Street. John graduated from Scranton High School as a member of the Class of 1972, and in 1973, he enlisted in the Army, earning the rank of specialist E4. Following an honorable discharge from the Army in 1977, John enrolled at Lackawanna Junior College and earned an associate degree in business management. He put his degree to work by helping his father run the family gas station. John was then offered a position at Tobyhanna Army Depot where he was employed for 11 years. With retirement on the horizon for his father, John resigned from Tobyhanna Army Depot to return to the family business in 1989. He kept the family business running with his brother, Bob, and, this year, the garage will celebrate its 50th anniversary of servicing vehicles in West Scranton. John has always been an active member of his community, generously lending his time and talents to many organizations to support their mission. He is a former parishioner of St. David's Church and currently attends St. Patrick's Church in West Scranton where he is also a member of the Holy Name Society. He has been a longtime supporter of youth sports, volunteering his time to Little League baseball and the Trips Park Miss E League. John is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a 30-year member of the Scranton Pool League. John has also served three decades as a judge of elections. Seeking to connect with his Irish heritage, he joined with his fellow Irish American Scrantonians to charter the Ancient Order of Hibernians Paul ``Hook'' O'Malley Division 4. Throughout the history of the Division, he has held many offices and is the current Shillelagh Man of the Year. His brothers in the Division recognize him as a dedicated and beloved member who would do anything for his fellow members or community at large. John is the proud father of five children, Nina, Jonathan, Matt, Megan, and Ryan. He is known for being a loving father, a loyal friend, and for caring deeply about his fellow citizens. I am honored to join with the Ancient Order of Hibernians Paul ``Hook'' O'Malley Division 4 in recognizing John as the Man of the Year. Selfless and hard-working Americans like John make our region a better place to live and work, and I am grateful for his service to his country and his community.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Duryea Mayor Keith Moss who retired from mayoral work in January after 20 years in office. Keith, the son of the late George and Arlene Moss, was born and raised in Duryea, Pennsylvania along with his nine siblings. His interest in public service began as a young Boy Scout, and, at the age of 20, he joined the Germania Hose Company as a volunteer firefighter. He served the organization as president, vice president, and trustee. Keith decided to run for Duryea council after his uncle, a councilman himself, suggested he would be a good fit for the job. In 1992, Keith ran for and was elected to Duryea Borough Council. During his time on the council, he worked closely with the Borough's police force, fostering a friendship with the late police chief Leonard Ash. It was Ash who first proposed the idea of running for mayor to Keith. In 2001, a hallmark year for both Keith personally--he married his wife, Patricia--and for the Borough--it celebrated its centennial--he won the mayoral election. He confidently took on the office's duties of overseeing the police department, crafting the Borough budget, breaking vote ties at council meetings, and managing the Borough's public relations. In September 2011, when rain from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee flooded areas of Duryea, Keith helped his community work through the storm and its aftermath. During his tenure as mayor, Keith worked to strengthen the sense of community in Duryea, organizing the Borough's involvement in National Night Out to foster community-police camaraderie and the Borough's Halloween party. He worked diligently to grow the Borough's police force to four full-time officers. He also found great joy and fulfillment in performing weddings, marrying more than 500 couples during his time in office. Keith took great pride in his mayoral work and sought to share the wisdom he acquired on the job, and also to learn from others. He served as the chair of the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association's Mayor of the Year Committee. He also regularly worked with mayors from Pittston, Hughestown, West Pittston, and Old Forge. In addition to his work as mayor, Keith has also been employed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport as a maintenance firefighter. He additionally has served his community as the treasurer of the Duryea Lions Club, president of Duryea Borough Sewer Authority, vice president of the Greater Pittston Cultural Coalition, and the president of the Luzerne County National Recreation Trail, and he continues to volunteer with the Germania Hose Company. For his efforts, Keith was recognized by the Sunday Dispatch with the Joseph Saporito Jr Lifetime of Service Award. I am honored to join with the citizens of Duryea in honoring the two- decade tenure of their beloved mayor. Keith has been a beacon of strength and stability for the Borough and has helped the community navigate a changing world. I wish Keith all the best as he begins this next phase of his life. May he continue to feel inspired to share his time and talents with his community.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Judge Thomas J. Munley who, after 16 years on the bench, recently retired from the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Judge Munley is beloved by his colleagues and community as a fair and skilled jurist who treats everyone with respect and dignity. A native Northeastern Pennsylvanian, Judge Munley graduated from Jessup High School in 1964. He continued his studies at East Stroudsburg University, graduating in 1968 with a degree in education. Judge Munley returned to his hometown to teach at his alma mater from 1968 to 1969. In 1969, he was drafted to serve in the Army and was sent to Vietnam on an 11-month tour as an infantryman with the 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. For his meritorious service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After returning home from military service in 1971, Judge Munley enrolled in law school at Loyola University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned his JD and was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar in 1974. From 1976 to 1979, he served as Assistant Public Defender in Lackawanna County. In 1979, Judge Munley founded his own law practice and was renowned as a fiercely competent defense attorney, a formidable opponent in the courtroom. In 2005, after 25 years at his own practice, Judge Munley ran for the seat on the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. He won the Democratic and Republican nominations in the May primary and easily prevailed in the November election. Judge Munley quickly earned the respect of his colleagues on the court, building on his acclaimed reputation as an attorney. The integrity and principle with which he conducted himself on the bench led his colleagues to elect him president-judge in 2011. Inspired by his own time in the service and his experience as a veteran, Judge Munley has been a longtime, fierce advocate for veterans and their families. Since 2014, he has hosted the popular television program ``Veterans Views'' on NBC/WBRE-TV which aims to inform those who have served about the benefits and services to which they are entitled. He often receives a deluge of calls after the show from veterans seeking assistance, and he diligently calls them back. He is also a proud member of the American Legion and the VFW. On January 1, 2022, Judge Munley retired to senior status as required by Pennsylvania's mandatory retirement age of 75. In his role of senior judge, he will serve in every county where the state Supreme Court grants him authority to hear matters. He also plans to continue his work on behalf of veterans and their families in his retirement. I am honored to recognize the judicial career and lifetime of public service of Judge Thomas Munley. It is a privilege to call him a colleague in the legal profession, and I join with the entirety of Lackawanna County in thanking him for his service to his country and his community. May he continue to find fulfillment and purpose in this new chapter of his life.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I could not be prouder that the Honoring our PACT Act includes my bill, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and let me tell you why I wrote this bill. Between 1953 and 1987, two generations of marines and marine families and employees at Camp Lejeune were poisoned by the water at Camp Lejeune. Poisoned by water that by today's standards in health, 240 to 3,400 times the level of acceptable toxins was in that water. This was water that the marines drank. It was in the mess halls. It was water they showered with. It was water that they drank out from the water buffaloes and filled their canteens from while on exercise. This is water that was poisoned, and it not only poisoned the water of marines but also the marine families and the employees at Camp Lejeune. Mr. Speaker, when marines volunteer for Marine duty, they know they are up for something dangerous. They know that the Marines pride themselves on being the first to fight. They know they are going to be in harm's way at some point, but when they went to Camp Lejeune for combat training, they didn't realize what their real enemy was going to be. It was going to be leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, aplastic anemia, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's disease. Not only the marines, but their families were subject to this from the water. I would like to thank the people who helped put together this bill, David Price, Greg Murphy, the Reverend William Barber, the veterans service organizations, 151 Republicans and Democrats who came together on this bill. Folks, at long last, all of these great marines, these great Americans will get a shot at justice. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the PQ, ``yes'' on the rule, and let's vote ``yes'' on the Honoring our PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor James Brogna who will be named the UNICAN of the Year for the UNICO National Scranton Chapter. He will be recognized at the Chapter's annual Charity Ball on February 26. James is the son of Frank and the late Marie Lombardo and the brother of Frank, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended Bloomsburg University where he earned his BA in mass communications and public relations, and he earned his MS in organizational management from Misericordia University. James began his career in television and radio, spending five years at WVIA Public Broadcasting and working at WGGY-FM and part time at WBRE TV. In 1999, he joined Allied Services Integrated Health System as the Director of Development. He currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Partnership for the organization. James has been fiercely dedicated to serving his community. He is a current board member of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber and Leadership Wilkes-Barre, and he was elected to the Crestwood School District's Board of Education in 2019. His expertise in the health and human services industry helped guide Northeastern Pennsylvania during COVID-19 through his service on the Luzerne County Pandemic Task Force and the S.O.S. NEPA Nursing Home Pandemic Task Force. He is a past member and former board member of the Rotary Club of the Abingtons and the Kiwanis Club of Mountain Top. He has been active with both Catholic Social Services of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as a past Chair and Board Member. In 2010, he co-founded WNEP-TV Ryan's Run Campaign which has raised more than $4 million for Allied Services. James himself has finished ten marathons, including the New York City, Scranton, and Marine Corps Marathons. James is also an effective fundraiser, championing veterans' causes like Catholic Social Services' St. Francis Commons for Veterans and Team Red, White & Blue, establishing a local chapter of the organization that helps veterans thrive in their transition from military to civilian life. His sharp business acumen and his unyielding generosity with his time have earned him recognition as a Top 40 under 40 in Business in 2008 and the Outstanding Alumni Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre. He was also named an Outstanding Fundraising Professional from the AFP and a Paul Harris Fellow Award recipient by Rotary International. He shares his extensive knowledge as a guest lecturer at the University of Scranton, Marywood University, and Misericordia University for undergraduate and masters level courses in marketing, non-profit leadership, and health care management. I am honored to join with the Scranton Chapter of UNICO National in recognizing James for his commitment to his community and the work he does to uphold Allied Services' mission. May he continue to feel inspired and moved to work on behalf of the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania.