[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        THE SPIRIT OF BLOOMFIELD

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the Bloomfield 
neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA, where the Bloomfield Citizens Council 
[BCC] will be celebrating the Spirit of Bloomfield on May 5, 1995. This 
Spirit of Bloomfield celebration will feature a recognition of 
outstanding local residents who have made major contributions to the 
quality of life in this community. These men and women exemplify the 
ideal neighborhood resident who is dedicated to strengthening the 
social fabric of his or her community. It is men and women like those 
being honored by the Bloomfield Citizens Council who have helped to 
make our country the great Nation it is today. It is fitting that the 
House should have this opportunity to reflect on the good works of 
these individuals.
  Patty Ladasky is this year's recipient of the Mary Cercone 
Outstanding Citizen Award. Patricia Ann Ladasky is known as the 
infamous Patty from Bloomfield to the public officials, neighborhood 
community groups, and publications. She is a professional staff writer 
for the Spirit of Bloomfield Family Magazine. Patty's events calendar 
and special event feature stories are treasured sources of information 
for local residents. She has also given thousands of hours of 
dedication and volunteer work on behalf of the entire Bloomfield 
community. Patty is known for her willingness to be on call 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week, in previous years as vice president and board of 
directors member of the Bloomfield Citizens Council. She also helped to 
coordinate the BCC's response to neighborhood disaster like the toxic 
spill of April 1987 and the Taylor street fire, on January 17, 1993. 
Patty has also volunteered and held office with the Immaculate 
Conception School and is community liaison for WQED TV station for BCC. 
Patty has been married to Johnny Ladasky for 28 years and has a 
daughter, Wendy Anne, and a son, John.
  Dr. Jack Hill has been selected for the 1995 Lifetime Achievement 
Award for his years of dedicated service to the advancement of clinical 
application of medicine in the fields of hematology, oncology, and 
internal medicine. In his 32 years at the Western Pennsylvania 
Hospital, he has touched the lives of Bloomfield residents with 
extraordinary sensitivity and concern for patients. He has been on 
staff of this hospital since 1963 where he has served as president of 
the medical staff, chief of the division of hematology and medical 
oncology, and chairman of the department of medicine. Dr. Hill is also 
a member of the clinical faculty of the University of Pittsburgh School 
of Medicine. He also appears twice a week on KDKA channel 2 noon news 
presenting ``Ask the Doctor'' reports. He has been honored repeatedly 
by the medical profession and on October 18, 1991, received the 
Governor's Special Recognition Award by the American College of 
Physicians for educating the Pittsburgh community about medical issues. 
Dr. Hill and his wife, Margaret (Peggy) McMurray, have been married for 
36 years and have two sons, a daughter, and three granddaughters.
  Sister Donna Smith is being honored with the Outstanding Youth 
Dedication Award for
 her commitment and innovative ability to stimulate intellectual 
curiosity in the students of Immaculate Conception. She is known for 
her dedication to the total child and her focus on helping children 
build character and develop personally. Sister Donna grew up on a farm 
in Butler and entered the sisters of the Holy Spirit in 1985 after 
having worked for many years as an engineering technician at American 
Glass Research. Sister Donna is currently working on her Masters Degree 
in Elementary Administration at Duquesne University where she earned a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. Sister Donna was 
assigned to Immaculate Conception in Bloomfield as a teacher in January 
1989 and made her first vows as a Sister of the Holy Spirit in August 
of 1989. Sister Donna will make her final vows in August 1995.

  Joedda Sampson has been selected to receive the Bloomfield Historical 
Preservation Award for her visionary approach and use of the Henry B. 
Lynch Victoria Mansion on Winebiddle Street. Joedda Sampson purchased 
the property and realized her dream of developing ``Victoria Hall: A 
Celebration Center'' with strong support from the BCC and local 
residents. She is married to Ben Sampson and she has one daughter and 
eight stepchildren.
  Herman Mitchell is being honored with the Dedicated Service Award for 
his years of service with the Pittsburgh City Police Department since 
1958. Commander Mitchell retired last year after serving and protecting 
the people of Pittsburgh for 36 years. He held a number of key 
positions with the police department and was commander of the Community 
Oriented Police [C.O.P.] Division when he retired. He and his wife, 
Franzelle, have 8 children and 17 grandchildren.
  Jerry McFadden is the recipient of this year's Neighborhood Loyalty 
Award. Sergeant McFadden retired from the Pittsburgh City Police 
Department on October 14, 1994, after 26 years of service. He won the 
praise of many Bloomfield residents during his service as head of the 
Crime Prevention Unit. His final year and half of police duty was a 
supervisor on the new C.O.P. program. He resides in Greenfield with his 
wife, Mary E., and are the parents of Jerry, Sean, and Heather.
  Ken Slaughter is being honored with the Community Commitment Award 
for his service as a police officer in the Bloomfield community. 
Officer Slaughter currently serves as Crime Prevention Officer and also 
serves on the BCC Professional Advisory Board. Officer Slaughter grew 
up in the Hill District and is a graduate of Schenley High School.
  Kurt Kondrich has been selected to receive the Extra Mile Award for 
his dedication to working closely with the BCC and the residents of 
Bloomfield as an officer with the Pittsburgh City Police Department. 
Officer Kondrich earned a B.A. Degree in Criminology from Indiana 
University and served as a police officer in Atlanta and with the Lee 
County, Florida Sheriff Department. He also serves on the Professional 
Advisory Board of the BCC. Officer Kondrich is the son of Ted and 
Marsha and was raised in Plum Boro.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend to the Members of the U.S. House 
of Representatives the men and women of Bloomfield who have been 
honored for their service to the defense of the United States of 
America. The following individuals have been given The Catholic War 
Veterans Patriotism Award: Regis Linn, Pete Fantone, Angelo Tabuso, 
Patricia Jean Donatelli Melfi, Norma Jean Donatelli Feigel, and Nina 
Rodgers. The following were selected to receive The Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Patriotism Award: Raymond (Ray) Fern, Bill Reynolds, Joe Wolff, 
Dorothy Pfenningworth, Mary Jane Kopicki, and Mary Ann (Sis) Stowitsky.
  The people of Bloomfield and the city of Pittsburgh are rightfully 
proud of all of these men and women who have served their community and 
their Nation. I am pleased to have this opportunity to join in saluting 
these individuals who have done so much for their fellow citizens.


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