[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 71 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 MONSIGNOR DONALD A. McANDREWS HONORED

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 1994

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding individual and a personal friend, Monsignor Donald A. 
McAndrews on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ordination to 
the priesthood. This weekend, the Wilkes-Barre community will gather to 
honor the exemplary career of this humanitarian.
  Father McAndrews was ordained on June 5, 1954 in Scranton, PA and 
began his religious life as an assistant pastor. Father's leadership 
qualities became apparent when, in 1961, he assumed the role of 
chaplain of College Misericordia and executive director of Catholic 
Social Services, a position he held for more than 30 years. While at 
Misericordia, he also taught sociology for many years. In 1968, with my 
good friend, Dr. Jule Ayers, he helped to establish Ecumenical 
Enterprises, an interfaith housing program which provides housing 
opportunities for low- and moderate-income families in the Wyoming 
Valley.
  In June 1972, when the Wyoming Valley was ravaged by the floods 
accompanying Hurricane Agnes, Father McAndrews rose to the challenge, 
along with many other community leaders, to work for recovery on the 
Flood Recovery Task Force. In 1973, father continued to serve the 
Valley With A Heart by organizing the Bridge, a prevention program for 
area youth. He also created several other drug and alcohol awareness 
and prevention programs, and the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters 
Program. In 1978, Father McAndrews founded the St. Vicent de Paul 
Kitchen which continues to serve meals to more than 300 people daily. 
In 1984, father opened the Gabriel House which, to this day, provides 
low-cost housing to single women. His community involvement broadened 
when, in 1986, he organized the Labor/Management Council of Greater 
Wilkes-Barre and served as its chairman.
  The list of both social service and community leadership 
accomplishments of this inspiring man is practically endless. The 
community has long recognized his innovative leadership and has honored 
Father McAndrews many time over the years. Some of father's awards 
include the Social Worker of the Year Award from the National 
Association of Social Workers, an honorary degree of doctor of 
humanities from King's College, and the Citation of Distinction by the 
Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council. Most recently, Father McAndrews 
received the prestigious Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Award 
in 1992.
  In 1992, Father McAndrews stepped down from his position of executive 
director of Catholic Social Services after 31 years of service and was 
honored by his friends and colleagues at a retirement celebration. Now, 
as Father McAndrews celebrates yet another milestone, we honor the 
outstanding life and career of our good friend. I am pleased to have 
this opportunity to do so again.

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