[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1792]]


                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES KELLEY

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 1995
  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a close 
personal friend from my district, the Honorable James P. Kelley. This 
year, Jim will retire from his position as Northumberland County 
Commissioner, a post he has held with the highest distinction for 
almost a quarter of a century.
  Once in a very great while, an individual not only surpasses the 
requirements expected of him as an elected official, but actually 
transforms the nature of his office to embody a greater ideal. Jim 
Kelley is such an individual. He not only served as an excellent county 
commissioner, but by his service, he changed the very definition of 
being a county commissioner. His extraordinary compassion, his 
impeccable integrity, his tireless efforts to improve the economic 
condition of his county, and his masterful skill at governing made Jim 
Kelley the epitome of what a public servant can and should be.
  A banker for 22 years, a funeral director for 35 years, Jim was first 
elected to serve Northumberland County as a commissioner in 1971. Jim 
served as chairman of that board for five of his six consecutive terms 
of office. A respected community leader, Jim is responsible for the 
information of the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging. During 
his leadership, the County Human Service Agency achieved a No. 1 
national rating. He was the first chairman of the Central Region 
Training Service.
  Jim was appointed by Gov. Bob Casey to serve 8 years on the 
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Board. He has been honored by 
his party as both Northumberland County Democrat of the Year and 
Pennsylvania Democrat of the Year.
  Jim's leadership in Northumberland County is legendary throughout the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has earned the admiration and respect 
of us who have been fortunate enough to have worked with him. Mr. 
Speaker, as Commissioner James P. Kelley steps down, he leaves behind a 
tradition of excellence and service which will be difficult to replace. 
He has devoted a lifetime of service to the people of Northumberland 
County, and that service will be felt for many more years to come. I am 
pleased to bring to the attention of my colleagues the accomplishments 
of my good friend, Jim Kelley.


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