[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 8 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E93-E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


SALUTE TO THE 1994 MAN, WOMAN, YOUTH OF THE YEAR AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 
                            AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 1995
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to pay tribute to 
outstanding individuals and organizations in the city of Pittsburgh 
that have recognized by The Observer, a local newspaper, for volunteer 
service to our community.
  On Saturday, January 14, 1995, The Observer will hold its annual 
ceremony to honor the 1994 Man, Woman, and Youth of the Year. In 
addition, five Pittsburgh residents and three local organizations will 
receive Awards for Outstanding Community Service. It is fitting that 
the House should have this opportunity to consider the contributions of 
these individuals and organizations to the quality of life in the city 
of Pittsburgh.
  The 1994 Man of the Year is James Foley, a native of the 
Lawrenceville community in Pittsburgh. This committed local citizen is 
known for his widespread involvement in the civic life of 
Lawrenceville. James Foley worked to address the real world needs of 
his fellow Lawrenceville residents in the early 1980's when local steel 
mills were closing, and up to one-third of Lawrenceville's residents 
moved away to look for new employment. Mr. Foley founded the 
Lawrenceville Business Association in order to respond to changing 
economic considerations in the Butler Street business district where 
once prosperous businesses were closing and the number of vacant 
buildings grew steadily. James Foley has served with this association 
for 12 years and has served as its president since 1994.
  During this period, Mr. Foley has helped to develop a long-term 
business district rejuvenation plan that has seen 42 new businesses 
open on Butler Street since 1990 and 55 storefronts and building 
facades either restored or renovated in a manner that complements the 
area's historic architecture. One special project to note has been the 
successful effort in 1992 by James Foley and the Lawrenceville Business 
Association to return Christmas holiday lighting to the neighborhood 
business district for the first time in 25 years.
  The 1994 Woman of the year is Joedda Sampson, who is a 20-year 
resident of the Mexican War Streets/Allegheny West area of Pittsburgh. 
Joedda Sampson has worked with Allegheny City Restorations to restore 
seven single-family homes, three multi-family structures and two 
commercial buildings on the north side over the past 4 years. All of 
these buildings are more than 100 years old and were in conditions 
ranging from being burnt-out and abandoned to deteriorating and under 
code.
  Joedda Sampson has provided an outstanding example to our community 
of what a public minded entrepreneur can accomplish when working with 
local residents and government. In 1993, Joedda Sampson played a vital 
role in resolving a 2-year-old dispute between Bloomfield and 
Friendship residents and local social service agencies over the future 
use of 2.2 acres on South Winebiddle Street which was occupied by an 
over 125-year-old Victorian mansion. In response to local resident's 
opposition to public housing plans to tear down a historic building to 
make room for a 200-resident housing project, Ms. Sampson purchased 
this property and began a major, multi-million restoration of the 
Victorian mansion and the surrounding property. Today, this property is 
the home of the Victoria Hall Celebration Center which attracts 
hundreds of visitors each month to the Bloomfield and Friendship 
neighborhoods and provides many local residents with jobs.
  Joedda Sampson serves on the board of the Calvary United Methodist 
Church, as well as the North Side Civic Development, the Community 
Design Center, National Victorian Society, Allegheny West Civic Council 
and is president of the Allegheny West Merchants Association. She is 
married to Ben Sampson and has one daughter and eight stepchildren.
  The 1994 Youth of the Year is Amy Rectenwald, an 18-year-old resident 
of Bloomfield. Ms. Rectenwald has shown that hard work and personal 
commitment can be more important than family income or an inner city 
address. Ms. Rectenwald grew up in a large family where she received a 
privately funded scholarship to Oakland Catholic High School. While in 
high school, she maintained an ``A'' average even while helping to care 
for several younger nieces and nephews. She also found time to work as 
a volunteer at West Penn Hospital throughout her high school years 
without sacrificing her grades or her responsibilities at home.
  Amy Rectenwald received a Simpson Foundation Scholarship to the 
University of Pittsburgh where she is now a full-time first year 
student with a marketing major. While carrying a full class load, she 
works part-time at the University's Hillman Library and at St. Joseph-
Immaculate Conception Parish rectory. She also continues her volunteer 
service at West Penn Hospital, tutors elementary school students and 
helps out at her church bingo. Ms. Rectenwald's hard work, volunteer 
spirit and dedication to learning provides ample reason why she would 
be selected the 1994 Youth of the Year.
  In addition to the Man, Woman and Youth of the Year, The Observer 
made Awards for Outstanding Community Service to several individuals 
and organizations. Katherine T. Barchetti was honored for her 
continuing efforts to promote Pittsburgh's Downtown business district 
in her role as both a downtown retailer, her service as chair of the 
Urban Redevelopment Authority's Downtown Retail Promotions Committee, 
and her many other efforts to serve the Pittsburgh community. The 
Highland Park Community Club and Shadyside Action Coalition were 
recognized for their efforts to educate public officials and local 
residents about the effect of continued concentration of group homes 
and special population residential facilities in Pittsburgh's East End 
neighborhoods and these groups were commended for the advocacy of a 
more equitable distribution of such facilities throughout the city and 
the county. Greg Kuban and Steve Novak were saluted for their work to 
establish the Lawrenceville Youth Football Club which provides an 
opportunity for over 150 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 11 
years old to learn positive life lessons through 
[[Page E94]] team sports. Preservation Pittsburgh was recognized for 
promoting the importance of preserving the architecture and unique 
landscapes that constitute the region's industrial and cultural legacy. 
Darren J. Ryan was honored for his cofounding and serving as 
coordinating director of Showhouse: War on AIDS, an annual fundraising 
event, and his many other services to local cultural endeavors and 
campaigns to address the needs of individuals with AIDS. Finally, 
Anthony Sansonetti was saluted for his years of service to the 
Bloomfield community as principal of Woolslair School, board member of 
the Bloomfield Business Association, and his many contributions to 
efforts promoting business revitalization of the Liberty Avenue 
business district in Bloomfield.
  Mr. Speaker, this country has grown and prospered with the help of 
countless individuals who have volunteered to serve others. These 
individuals often are the essential links enabling the success of 
public and private sector initiatives to enhance local communities. 
That is why I am so proud to join with The Observer in saluting the 
1994 Man, Woman and Youth of the Year and the recipients of the Awards 
for Outstanding Community Service in the City of Pittsburgh.


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