Paul Kanjorski

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5017, the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act. This legislation aims to preserve the U.S. Department of Agriculture's section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program that helps low- and moderate-income rural residents obtain safe and affordable housing. Since its inception, this program has helped hundreds of thousands of families realize the American dream of homeownership. Managed by the USDA's Rural Housing Service, the program provides a vital source of mortgage credit in communities of less than 20,000 residents. USDA currently guarantees rural home loans with the money that it receives through the appropriations process and the upfront fees it collects on loan originations. Historically, Congress has also set, through the annual appropriations process, the statutory limit on the maximum loan commitment authority that the Federal Government will guarantee. These guarantees decrease the exposure of home lenders to default so that they will underwrite more mortgages for low- and moderate-income families in rural America. In 2009, the 115,000 loans made under the program averaged $112,000. The financial crisis, however, has created unprecedented demand for and spiked homebuyer interest in the program. As a result, the program has more than tripled in recent years from guaranteeing about $3 billion in 2006 to guaranteeing more than $10 billion at the end of March 2010. In March, USDA notified its State directors and participating lenders in the program that they would have to stop making conditional loan commitments at the end of April because they had exhausted their funding and would have to wait until they received additional appropriations. H.R. 5017 offers a commonsense solution to this problem by raising the upfront fee that USDA can charge commercial lenders up to 4 percent and increasing the USDA's loan authority to $30 billion for the current year. USDA confirms that these amounts would be sufficient for the program to continue to operate without interruption. Moreover, by making this program self-sustaining, we would also reduce discretionary spending by $24 million in the current fiscal year. So this legislation represents a win for American taxpayers and a win for America's heartland. This legislation additionally enjoys broad support and passed out of the Financial Services Committee by a bipartisan vote last Thursday. In this regard, I am especially grateful for the work of my colleague, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), who has worked closely with me on these matters. Her suggestions have helped make a good bill even better. Additionally, many groups have called upon Congress to act quickly to fix this problem, including the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the American Bankers Association. We should heed their advice and pass this bill. In sum, Mr. Speaker, to preserve the dream of homeownership in America's heartland, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5017. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5017) to ensure the availability of loan guarantees for rural homeowners, as amended.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Dr. and Mrs. James Burne for their outstanding community service for which they are being honored by the Scranton Kiwanis Club. Dr. Burne maintains a general Dentistry Practice in South Scranton. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Dental Association and has been an active member of the Scranton District Dental Society since 1969. He has served as its president, a member of the board of directors and chairman of its dental health programs. A graduate of the University of Scranton, Dr. Burne received his doctorate of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He is also a graduate of the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Burne is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American College of Dentists along with additional fellowships and honors. He served as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps and he is the recipient of the Frank J. O'Hara Award, University of Scranton. He is a past member of the YMCA Board of Directors and is currently a member of the Scranton Chapter UNICO National, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Kiwanis Club. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of Penn Security Bank. Mrs. Mary Lou Burne is a graduate of Scranton Central High School, Keystone College, Millersville University and she pursued graduate studies at Marywood University. She is a former Special Education teacher with NEIU 19 and was the founder and director of its summer program for special needs children. She was also founder and director of the local Special Olympics and she received the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation Award. She has served as local and state president of the Youth Association for Retarded Citizens. She has served as trustee at Keystone College and she received its Distinguished Alumni Award. She was a member of the White House Conference on Children and is a past President of the Scranton District Dental Alliance. She received the Boy's and Girl's Club Champion of Youth Award and the Thelma Neff Award of the Alliance to the American Dental Association. Dr. and Mrs. Burne are co-founders of the Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Program that since 1986 has served over 175,000 people. For that service, they have received the following awards: Justice Michael J. Eagen Humanitarian Award; J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award, James Crowley Humanitarian Award; UNICO National Civics Illustris Humanitarian Award, National Association of Social Workers Public Citizens of the Year and letters of commendation from Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Dr. and Mrs. Burne are the parents of four children: James 3d, Dr. Mark, Mary and Matthew Burne. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. and Mrs. Burne on this auspicious occasion. Their outstanding service to community is inspirational and has earned them respect and admiration throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Susan Patte of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of her selection to be honored as ``Woman of the Year'' for 2010 by the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women. Mrs. Patte is a daughter of the late Aldone and Bernie Melesky. She graduated from West Scranton High School in the class of 1963. She went on to marry Anthony J. Patte and the couple has four children: Deborah Ann Riccardo, Susan A. Kahlau, Lisa Tulaney and Tony B. Patte. Mr. and Mrs. Patte also have five grandchildren: Michael Riccardo, Tanner Kahlau, Alex Tulaney, Jack Tulaney and Annie Kahlau. Mrs. Patte is employed as a bookkeeper and accountant in the Lackawanna County Treasurer's Office. She served eight years on the Scranton School Board which included two years as President of the Board and one year as Vice President of the Board. During her tenure on the school board, Memorial Stadium was refurbished and West Scranton High School was renovated. She participated in labor contract negotiations as part of her responsibilities. She also oversaw implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Program and also helped develop the SAVES program that provides continued education for children who are expelled. She was also chair of the Special Education Committee during implementation of the federal IDEA program. She is a past President of the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women, having served in that office during 2007 and 2008. Currently, she is serving as Fourth Vice President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women. She is an active community volunteer for organizations that include the Scranton Tomorrow Winter in the City Project and also the American Cancer Society's Ball of Hope Committee. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Susan Patte on this auspicious occasion. Throughout her many years of outstanding service to her community, she has been an inspirational force in demonstrating to those who will follow her the importance of contributing to the betterment of her neighbors through political action and charitable volunteerism. Clearly, Mrs. Patte has contributed to the improvement of the quality of life throughout the region and, for that, she has earned the respect and admiration of a grateful community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Beverly Blakeslee Hiscox, who is being honored by the Wilkes University Alumni Association and its Scholarship Fund for extraordinary service over many years. Born in Hanover Township in 1932, Beverly graduated from E. L. Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre and attended Wilkes College. Mrs. Hiscox has served Wilkes University in many roles including as president of the Alumni Association, member of the Board of Trustees, an active member of the Advisory Board of the Creative Writing Program, and she continues as Trustee Emerita. Her dedication to the Wilkes-Barre community does not stop with Wilkes University. Her commitments over the years have included 20 years as a member of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Auxiliary, an early organizer of the Lawyers' Wives, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA. She has been involved with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic since its inception in 1972, serving on its Board of Directors and as president of the Board. She is also a member of the Westmoreland Club. Ordained as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes- Barre, she was also active in the Women's Association of the church for many years. She has served on the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Bane as an elder. Mrs. Hiscox married attorney Harry Hiscox in 1956. They had five children: David, a lawyer in practice with his father; Richard, a family practice physician; Steven, president and CEO of Automotive Training Center, the top professional institution of its kind in the nation; Susan, a school psychologist in New York and Carol, an elementary school teacher in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Hiscox also have 10 grandchildren. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Hiscox on this auspicious occasion. Her exemplary community service is inspirational and has earned her widespread respect and admiration throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. James J. Flaherty, who is retiring as Vice President and General Manager at General Dynamics in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after a long and distinguished career in the Army munitions industry. A son of James Flaherty, Sr. and Jean Joyce Flaherty, Mr. Flaherty was raised in Pittston, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from St. John's High School in 1960. A 1963 graduate of Penn State University, Mr. Flaherty joined Chamberlain Manufacturing Corporation, Scranton Division, where he held numerous engineering positions until 1969 when he was promoted to engineering supervisor of the forging operations. In 1972, he was promoted to operations manager after which he was elevated to Assistant General Manager in 1976. In 1978 he was transferred to Chamberlain's New Bedford, Massachusetts, operations where he remained, until 1986 when he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager. He served in that post until 1991 when the New Bedford operations ceased production and he was relocated back to Scranton as Vice President and General Manager of that division. In 2000, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and, in April, 2003, he was named President of Chamberlain Manufacturing Corporation. In 2006, after General Dynamics acquired Chamberlain, Mr. Flaherty was named Vice President and General Manager of the Scranton operations. Mr. Flaherty was a member of the ARMS Public Private Task Force, Executive Advisory Committee, and the Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers. He is also Past President of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center. He serves on the Board of Directors of the local chapter of the Salvation Army, is a member of the Lions Club and was an elected member of the Moscow Borough Council. In February, 2009, Mr. Flaherty was inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara by the U.S. Field Artillery Association and that same year was awarded the W. Francis Swingle Award by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Mr. Flaherty is married to the former Sheila Redding of Pittston. The couple has two children and five grandchildren and plan to reside in Oriental, North Carolina. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Flaherty for an outstanding career. His contributions to his profession, his community and his nation have been exemplary and he has been responsible for inspiring many others to emulate his example and his achievements.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I voted for legislation designed to improve the affordability and accessibility of health care. Americans already spend more on health care than the people of any other nation. If we take no action, health care costs are expected to double over the next 10 years, just as they have over the last 10 years. It is not the bill I would have written if it were up to me alone, but it is the best we can do at this time. This was one of the most difficult votes I have ever cast, primarily because there is a great deal of confusion about what this bill will do. Over the last year, many people throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania have taken the time to voice their thoughts on this health care reform bill, and I have taken each voice into consideration. I have heard the desperate pleas from people who have been sick and can no longer obtain any insurance. I have heard from small business owners who struggle to pay the premiums for their employees. I have also heard from a sizable number of my constituents who fear they will lose fundamental freedoms if this bill becomes law. From my careful review of the legislation, I have come to the conclusion that this fear is unfounded. Democracy requires the consent of the governed, but that consent needs to be informed with facts, not the widespread misinformation which has permeated the national conversation about this legislation. I had hoped that the House and Senate would conduct a conference committee to iron out the differences between the House and Senate bills televised by C-SPAN so that the American people would have an opportunity to understand the provisions included in this very complex bill. It is important to set the record straight between facts and myths. This bill does not empower the federal government to take over health care. In fact, this bill preserves the employment-based private insurance delivery system upon which a majority of working Americans relies for insurance coverage. It allows participants to choose the health insurance plan that best fits individual and family needs by creating a marketplace of insurance plans, resembling the Federal Employees Health Program used by all federal workers, including Members of Congress. The bill attempts to rein in those private insurers by prohibiting their most egregious abuses: denying coverage for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, imposing a lifetime cap on medical care, and limiting the ability of individuals to change jobs without the fear of losing insurance coverage. It will also enable young adults to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26. If people currently have health insurance, whether it is through an employer or another means, their coverage will not change. If anything, their premiums are expected to decrease because there will be more people in the insurance pool. But, if people are unsatisfied with their insurance, they will have the capabilities to switch to a plan that best fits their needs. Senior citizens have expressed a great deal of worry that they will be denied services if this bill becomes law. In fact, seniors will experience better coverage for their prescription drug costs and will have no out of pocket costs for preventive care. In addition, this legislation reduces excessive payments to private insurance companies that administer Medicare Advantage Plans and applies those savings to the bill. It also works to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program, which will help strengthen the program. As a result of this legislation, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the solvency of the Medicare program will be extended by more than 9 years. This bill will help save American families money and prevent health care costs from bankrupting our country. The U.S. spent 16 percent of its gross domestic product, GDP, on health care in 2008, more than any other industrialized country. CBO estimates that number will rise to 25 percent without changes to federal law. CBO also estimates that this bill will reduce the deficit by $138 billion over the 2010-2019 period. Many of my friends who oppose abortion have expressed concern that their tax dollars could be used to pay for abortions. I have been assured that this is not the case, and I am pleased that President Obama intends to issue an executive order to clarify that no funds in the bill will be used for abortion. Moreover, I will continue to remain vigilant to ensure that the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funding of abortion, remains the law of the land. I was greatly disturbed when the student loan legislation was hastily attached to the health care reform bill at the last minute because of the impact it would have on the 1,100 Sallie Mae workers in my district. Yesterday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan assured me that he will use all of the tools at his disposal to help ensure that these workers will remain employed. I thank the many Northeastern Pennsylvanians who have shared their thoughts with me on this important legislation over the past few months. When you are sick, the last thing you should have to worry about is how to pay the bills. Insurance is supposed to relieve this worry, but instead the current system has made that worry worse. Today, we are working to reverse this course.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Hugh D. Dugan, who was named Grand Marshall for the Carbon County St. Patrick's Day Parade. Mr. Dugan was born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1943, a son of the late Dennis and Margaret Hogan Dugan. Mr. Dugan was raised in Jim Thorpe with his older brother, John. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and graduated from Jim Thorpe High School in 1961. Mr. Dugan enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1962 and served for 22 years until his retirement as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1984. During his military service, he was stationed in New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., New London, Connecticut, and London, England. During that period, Mr. Dugan was awarded two Coast Guard Achievement Medals as well as numerous other citations. Mr. Dugan was also employed by the U.S. Post Office in Jim Thorpe, where he worked for 20 years. Mr. Dugan and his wife, Fran, have resided in Jim Thorpe since 1977. They have been married for 45 years and have three daughters, Theresa, Denise and Maureen, and a son, Michael. They also have nine grandchildren. They are members of the Immaculate Conception Church in Jim Thorpe. Mr. Dugan is a charter member and co-founder of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served as its first vice president and two terms as president. He is currently financial secretary of that organization. He has also served as co-chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Parade for the past several years. Mr. Dugan also served as Division Representative for the Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland, a program that brought teens from Northern Ireland to the United States to live with host families for six weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Dugan served as host for four Irish teens over the years. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Dugan on this auspicious occasion. His commitment to his family, his community and his Nation is exemplary and inspirational. Clearly, he has improved the quality of life throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to James A. Gilmartin, who was selected to receive the ``W. Francis Swingle Award'' from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, Mr. Gilmartin graduated from Pittston High School, Class of 1952. He worked in private industry for six years before enrolling in King's College Night School in 1958. In 1960, he became a full-time student and graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1962. Mr. Gilmartin returned to his high school alma mater where he was appointed as a teacher of social studies for five years until he moved to Hamburg, Pennsylvania, to accept a position as assistant junior- senior high school principal. He moved through the ranks, serving as assistant superintendent for seven years and, in 1978, was named superintendent of schools, a position he held until his retirement. Subsequently, he has served in eight school districts and the Intermediate Unit in temporary capacities. Mr. Gilmartin continues to be involved in education, serving as a reader for the Educational Testing Service and as a special education auditor for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. During the last school year, he served as a mentor to two new administrators as part of the Principal's Leadership Initiative and as an advisor to the Superintendent of the Pittston Area School District. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Reading Area Community College, Hamburg Center Board of Trustees, a member of the Berks County Municipal Authority and he also serves on U.S. Congressman Tim Holden's Academy Selection Team. He has been active with the volunteer fire and ambulance units in Pittston. He has also written a weekly newspaper column for the Pittston Sunday Dispatch in recent years. Mr. Gilmartin has noted that it was W. Francis Swingle, a former King's College professor, who guided him through the college enrollment process more than 50 years ago. In 2002, Mr. Gilmartin established a scholarship at King's College that provides a substantial four-year award to a student from the Greater Pittston Area. The application and selection process is determined by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Gilmartin on this notable occasion. His commitment to the education of our young people is evidence of the positive influence W. Francis Swingle had on him more than a half century ago and his selection to receive the Swingle Award is a fitting tribute to both.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S. J., who is being honored by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, with their 2010 President's Award. Currently the Dean of Admissions Emeritus at the University of Scranton and minister of the Jesuit Community at Scranton, Father McIlhenny was ordained a priest at Woodstock College on June 17, 1956. He spent the last year of his training at Auriesville, New York. On July 1, 1958, he was named fourth headmaster at Scranton Preparatory School where he spent the next eight years. In 1966, he was assigned as Dean of Admissions at the University of Scranton where he remained for the next 31 years. On June 1, 1997, Father McIlhenny retired as Dean of Admissions to become Administrator of the Scranton Jesuit Community. He received an honorary degree from the University of Scranton on May 26, 1998, and, on September 13, 2009, the University recognized Father McIlhenny's years of dedicated service by naming the Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny Ballroom in his honor. Born in Philadelphia on March 27th, 1926, Father McIlhenny is the son of Bernard and Marie Seiberlich McIlhenny. He graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He entered St. Joseph's University in 1943 and entered the Novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, in February, 1944. Father McIlhenny attended his first Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner in 1959 and has been enjoying the event ever since. Father McIlhenny has distinguished himself throughout northeastern Pennsylvania over the years for his extraordinary service to his Church, to his community and to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Father McIlhenny on this auspicious occasion. His personal example has been an inspiration to many and he has contributed greatly to the improvement of the quality of life throughout the region.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Hon. James M. Munley, senior Federal District Court Judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, who is being honored for 25 years of service to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Judge Munley was nominated by President William Clinton, confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as a federal district judge on October 26, 1998. A graduate of the University of Scranton and Temple Law School, he also graduated from the National College of State Trial Judges in Nevada and pursued additional legal studies at Harvard Law School, Massachusetts, and participated in national security seminars at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 during which he was stationed in Germany. Formerly engaged in the practice of law with his brother, Attorney Robert W. Munley, from 1964 to 1978, he was elected as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas November 8, 1977, and was retained for additional terms in 1987 and 1997. In 1986 he was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on the Judicial Inquiry and Review Board. He was elected chairman of that board in 1989. He has lectured, taught and written extensively on the law over the years and has remained active in the Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations. Judge Munley has also been active in the Boy Scouts, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus and the Country Club of Scranton. He has also been actively involved in Lourdesmont, Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services, St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, Lackawanna County United Way, Everhart Museum, First National Bank, Peckville; Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Pennsylvania Trial Judges Association and its State Ethics Committee. He has received numerous awards from Marywood University, University of Scranton, Women's Resource Center of Scranton, Boy Scouts, American Legion, Temple University, Young Lawyers of the Lackawanna County Bar Association, Judicial Inquiry and Review Board, Dickinson School of Law and Bethel A.M.E. Church of Scranton. Married to Dr. Kathleen P. Munley, a professor at Marywood University, they are the parents of two daughters, Attorney Julia K. Munley and Gwendolyn Munley. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Judge Munley on this auspicious occasion. His exemplary service to his profession and to his community has improved the quality of life throughout the region.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to John D. McCarthy, who was named ``Man of the Year'' by the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Born in Wilkes-Barre, June 19, 1935, Mr. McCarthy graduated from St. Mary's High School and King's College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Mr. McCarthy is chairman of the board of McCarthy Tire Service Company, Inc., one of the largest tire distributorships in North America and also Chairman of the Board of McCarthy Realty, Inc. Mr. McCarthy has, for many years, left an indelible and positive imprint on many groups and organizations in the Greater Wyoming Valley. He served on the boards of directors of the Wyoming Valley Health Care Systems, Inc., Pennsylvania American Water Company, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Continental Bank and the Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority. He served as chairman of the board at the Wyoming Valley Health Care System and at the Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority. A member of the Fox Hill Country Club, he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. Mr. McCarthy was awarded the ``Citizen of the Year'' by the Wilkes- Bane Lions Club and ``Small Businessman of the Year'' by the Wilkes- Barre Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McCarthy is married to the former Cecelia M. Corgan and they are the parents of Mary Ellen Horn, Kathleen Lambert and John D. McCarthy Jr. They also have seven grandchildren. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. McCarthy on this auspicious occasion. His extraordinary service to the community and his personal example has been inspirational to many. The contribution he has made has greatly enhanced the quality of life throughout the region and has earned him widespread respect and admiration.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Martin F. Quinn, who was named ``Man of the Year'' by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Quinn is a son of the late Martin J. Quinn and Margaret Mitchell Quinn and was raised in the Cork Lane section of Pittston Township. He graduated from Pittston Central Catholic High School. He also attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Electrical Programming Institute, both in New Jersey. He served and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He was employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and ConRail Inc. for over 30 years, retiring as a line foreman in 1999. He is a licensed electrician and was recording secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1153 for many years. He is also a licensed projectionist. Prior to returning to the Greater Pittston area in 1973, Mr. Quinn was employed in the trucking industry in New Jersey and was vice- president of the Teamsters' Union Local 701. In addition to his extensive railroad career, Mr. Quinn has contributed a great amount of time to many community activities in the Greater Pittston area. He has served his community for over 20 years as a member of the Pittston Area Board of Education and is actively involved in many local clubs and political organizations. He is a sustaining member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and is also a charter member of Wolfe Tone Luzerne County Division 1, Ancient Order of Hibernian. He is a member of the President John F. Kennedy Council #372, Knights of Columbus, and its Fourth Degree Assembly. He is a member of the board of the Parking Authority of the City of Pittston. He is active with the Third District Democrats and served many years as a committeeman in his ward. He is a member of St. Mary's Help of Christians Church. Mr. Quinn resides in Pittston with his wife, the former Barbara Brigido. They are the proud parents of three sons, Mitch, Mike, and Brian and have four grandchildren, Zach, Samantha, Katie, and Kearney. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Quinn on this very special occasion. His love of his family and community is evident in all the good works he has been responsible for over many years. Moreover, his example inspires others to emulate him and to share in improving the quality of life throughout the region.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Joseph A. Heffers, the 2010 recipient of the Achievement Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. A son of the late John Heffers and Mary Golden Heffers, Mr. Heffers was born and raised in Pittston City, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Pittston City High School and Wilkes-Barre Business College, where he earned a degree in business and accounting, Mr. Heffers served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967 in the Special Troops Unit at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Mr. Heifers worked at Eberhard Faber Company in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, as a project manager for 21 years, receiving the President's Award from Mr. Eberhard Faber in 1986. He later worked for Cooper Industries in Weatherly, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, as a production specialist and later retired from Intermetro Industries in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Heffers is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the Metro Wire Federal Credit Union in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. A past president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Mr. Heffers serves on the advisory board of the Salvation Army in West Pittston and also is a member and former financial secretary of President John F. Kennedy Council 372 Knights of Columbus, their Council Choir and the Fourth Degree Assembly. Mr. Heffers coached several youth athletic teams including Stoners Soccer, Jenkins Township Girls Softball and Girls Varsity Basketball at St. Mary's Assumption School in Pittston. He is a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston. Mr. Heffers resides in Port Griffith with his wife of 38 years, the former Mary Catherine Shea. They are the parents of two children, Joseph, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania and Mary Elizabeth Gregor, Plains Township, Pennsylvania. The couple also has two grandchildren, Maxwell Wallace Gregor and Declan Joseph Gregor. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Heffers on this notable occasion. His exemplary service to his family and community has earned him widespread respect and recognition.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, we have the Speaker who will be arriving and, as I understand it, we have additional Members who will make requests to speak for 5 minutes.

Mr. KANJORSKI. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. KANJORSKI. Thank you very much, Mr. Hinchey. Now we will hear from the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. KANJORSKI. Thank you very much, Ms. Kilpatrick. Now we will hear from the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey).

Mr. KANJORSKI. Thank you, Mrs. Dahlkemper. Now we will hear from the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).