[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         JOHN F. GRIMES HONORED

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. John 
F. Grimes, a good friend of mine from Pittston, PA. This Sunday, Jack 
will be honored as the 1996 Man of the Year at the annual St. Patrick's 
Day Banquet of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. I am pleased to have 
been asked to recognize Jack as he is awarded this honor.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Grimes is a man of great wisdom and is certainly 
worthy of being named the Friendly Sons' Man of the Year. He was born 
in Pittston and has lived there all of his life. In 1942, after 
graduating from St. John the Evangelist High School, Jack began a 21-
year career with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Within just a few years of 
beginning his career with the railroad, Jack was appointed assistant 
division engineer and became the youngest person ever to be assigned to 
that position of responsibility. During his career, Jack earned two 
professional licenses: surveyor and civil engineer.
  Although Jack remained very committed to his job, he made community 
service a major part of his life. He served as the president of the 
Lions Club of Pittston, and has been a lector and usher at St. Mary's 
Church. He has also contributed to the city of Pittston by serving as 
both secretary and president of the planning commission. He has served 
the commission for over 30 years.
  Knowing of Jack's commitment to his community, his colleagues called 
on him to be the executive director of the Pittston Chamber of 
Commerce. During his tenure, Jack reactivated the Pittston Area 
Industrial Development Authority as a subsidiary function of the 
chamber. He has aggressively campaigned to bring new industry to the 
region, and has helped publicize Pittston's strongest assets to 
companies seeking to relocate in the city. Jack Grimes has become a 
valuable partner with local, county, and State officials who diligently 
work to revitalize the Greater Pittston area.
  Since he became involved with the chamber of commerce, Jack has 
helped to bring nearly three thousand jobs to the Greater Pittston 
area. Although many people would be satisfied with this accomplishment, 
Jack believes in going the extra mile. He wants to continue the 
campaign to revitalize the city, and plans to market the Pittston area 
on the World Wide Web. I am sure that Jack's involvement with this 
project will result in the continuation of Pittston's development.
  Another distinguished leader will present the award to Jack. This 
individual is my good friend, His Excellency John McCarthy, Ambassador 
of Australia. When I learned Jack was being honored, I contacted 
Ambassador McCarthy to ask him if he would present the award. Always 
gracious, the Ambassador accepted my invitation and agreed to visit 
Pittston for this special event. The Ambassador's strong ties to the 
large Irish population that exists in Australia make him one of the 
most appropriate leaders to present this award to Jack.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Grimes embodies the leadership qualities that the 
Friendly Sons honor each year, I applaud their decision to choose Jack 
as the 1996 Man of the Year. On behalf of the people of Pittston, I 
extend my deepest appreciation to Jack Grimes for a lifetime of 
commitment to promoting industrial and business development throughout 
his community.

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