[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
THE FIRST OCCUPATIONAL CENTER OF NEW JERSEY HONORS OUTSTANDING CITIZENS 
                          FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                            HON. HERB KLEIN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 1994

  Mr. KLEIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to four 
exceptional gentlemen being honored by the First Occupational Center of 
New Jersey for their significant contributions to the community. I am 
very proud to join this organization on its 40th anniversary as it 
praises Ace Alagna, publisher of the Italian Tribune News, Allen J. 
Kasden, president of Crow Construction, James Lukaszewicz, plant 
manager of Anheuser-Busch's Newark brewery, and William J. Marino, 
president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc.
  The First Occupational Center of New Jersey is a broad-based not-for-
profit training and working program serving New Jersey. The center 
assists individuals, and their families, who are challenged by 
disabilities or social economic disadvantages. Through professional 
counseling, vocational training, and employment opportunities, OCNJ 
helps people to reach their full vocational potential and because 
contributing members of the community. It is the oldest and largest 
training facility of its kind in the State.
  Ace Alagna, publisher of the Italian Tribune News since 1968, has 
been outstanding in many different kinds of activities. Not only is he 
a newspaper publisher, but he has also taken award-winning photos, 
acted in Academy Award-winning motion pictures, and been given the key 
to the cities of Newark, Atlantic City, Hoboken, Rome, Naples, New 
Orleans, and Philadelphia.
  Possibly Ace's greatest endeavor has been raising millions of dollars 
for those in need. He dedicated a Children's Day Care Center with funds 
raised by the Italian Tribune News Earthquake Relief Fund during the 
earthquakes in northern Italy in 1976 and in Palomonte, Italy in 1980. 
In 1980, when Poland was in need of medical assistance, the country 
received over $800,000 worth of supplies from Alagna's support.
  James Lukaszewicz was named plant manager of Anheuser-Busch's, Newark 
brewery in 1990. Prior to his Newark assignment, Lukaszewicz served as 
assistant plant manager at the company's breweries in Houston, 
Jacksonville, FL and Williamsburg, VA. Lukaszewicz joined Anheuser-
Busch in 1968 following discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, having 
served as a captain of infantry troops in Vietnam. He holds a 
bachelor's degree from Marquette University and an M.B.A. from 
Jacksonville University.
  Allen J. Kasden, president of Crow Construction Co., has over 20 
years of construction experience with an extensive background in 
commercial institutional, and high-rise building. Kasden holds a civil 
engineering degree from Duke University and is a professional engineer 
in the State of Louisiana. He is vice president and director of the New 
York Building Congress and director of the Regional Alliance for Small 
Contractors.
  William J. Marino is president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield 
of New Jersey, Inc. Before Marino joined BCBSNJ he was vice president 
of regional group operations for New York and Connecticut for the 
Prudential. Marino is presently chairman of the board of trustees and 
1993-94 campaign chairman for the United Way of Essex and West Hudson. 
He is also on the board of trustees for the New Jersey Network 
Foundation, and is a member of the board of regents of St. Peter's 
College. He served as a member of the board of trustees of the Kessler 
Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc., and of the board of directors and 
executive committee of the New Jersey Business Group of Health. He 
previously sat on the board of the New York State HMO Conference and 
Hospital Boards.
  These gentlemen have helped the First Occupational Center of New 
Jersey assist many individuals in need. It is with great pleasure that 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring them on this occasion.

                          ____________________