[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MSGR. ANDREW J. McGOWAN HONORED

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my close 
friend, Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan. Monsignor McGowan will be honored for 
his outstanding community leadership by Leadership Wilkes-Barre, an 
organization dedicated to fostering leadership in the Greater Wilkes-
Barre area. I am pleased to be able to join Leadership Wilkes-Barre 
area in paying tribute to Monsignor McGowan on June 13.
  Mr. Speaker, it is most fitting that Leadership Wilkes-Barre honor 
Monsignor McGowan, who is one of the most beloved and well-respected 
individuals in northeastern Pennsylvania. The monsignor has committed 
himself to the betterment of the lives of everyone in the Greater 
Wilkes-Barre area. He has freely shared his wit and wisdom which has 
helped everyone he has touched. Most importantly, Monsignor McGowan's 
spirituality has been always been a source of strength and faith.
  Fifteen years ago, Monsignor McGowan joined several of his colleagues 
in establishing an organization that could effectively work for the 
betterment of the Wilkes-Barre community. Today that organization 
successfully operates as Leadership Wilkes-Barre. Committed to ensuring 
success for the organization, Monsignor McGowan served as its first 
board chairman. Upon being selected to lead Leadership Wilkes-Barres, 
Monsignor McGowan sought effective ways to improve community 
management. To accomplish this goal, the monsignor helped the 
organization to structure a year-long class for emerging and existing 
community leaders, who then educate officials about the needs of the 
communities in which they live and work. Its curriculum was heavily 
influenced by Monsignor McGowan's commitment to community growth, 
understanding of economic development, and an overwhelming compassion 
for the citizens of the region.
  Mr. Speaker, Monsignor McGowan personifies leadership in Wilkes-Barre 
and throughout the Wyoming Valley. In addition to his support of 
Leadership Wilkes-Barre, the Monsignor is the director of Community 
Affairs and the bishop's representatives for hospitals and colleges in 
the diocese of Scranton, PA. He has received the Hospital Association 
of Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Award, and the B'nai Brith 
Americanism Award. Monsignor McGowan has been selected as an honorary 
fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, and was 
chosen to receive the 1994 Award of Excellence of the Independent 
Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.
  Currently, Monsignor McGowan serves the region as the vice chair of 
Allied Services Hospital Foundation and chairs the Commission on 
Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County and the Heinz Institute of Rehab 
Medicine. The monsignor is also a First Valley Bank board member and 
generously volunteers his time to serve on the executive committee of 
the Boy Scout of America, the Luzerne Foundation, and the Scranton 
Public Library. In addition to these and other organizations, Monsignor 
McGowan sits on the boards of King's and Marywood Colleges and the 
Catholic University of America.
  Monsignor McGowan served as chairman of the board of the Kirby Center 
for Performing Arts, the Hospital Trustee Association of Pennsylvania 
and was a board member of the University of Scranton, College 
Misericordia, and Mount St. Mary's in Maryland.
  The monsignor is probably best known for his masterful use of the 
English language. He is the most sought after speaker in northeastern 
Pennsylvania and serves as master of ceremonies for almost every 
prestigious event in the area. For more than 10 years he has been MC 
for the Pennsylvania State Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, and has 
been at the dais of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick's Day Banquets in 
both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton for more years than I can remember.
  Mr. Speaker, I have always admired Monsignor McGowan for the charming 
wit and wisdom that he has shared with everyone. Even before being 
elected to Congress, I had the privilege of working with him for the 
betterment of northeastern Pennsylvania. Each time we work together, 
Monsignor McGowan demonstrates skillful and diplomatic problem-solving 
abilities. His leadership has taught me to be a more effective Member 
of Congress and a more compassionate and understanding individual. I am 
very grateful to have Monsignor McGowan among my closest personal 
friends.
  Mr. President, I am extremely pleased to have been asked by 
Leadership Wilkes-Barre to participate in their tribute to Msgr. Andrew 
J. McGowan. I am very proud to bring the monsignor's distinguished 
community service record to the attention of my colleagues, and thank 
him for his dedication to the people of northeastern Pennsylvania.

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