[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 14 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RETIREMENT TRIBUTE TO FRANK A. ORECHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like for you to join me in 
honoring Frank A. Orechio, of Nutley, NJ, who is retiring from his 
position as director of Facilities Planning and Water Resources 
Development for the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.
  As a lifelong resident of Nutley, Frank has always been an active 
member of the community. As a teenager, Frank was involved in helping 
his neighbors become naturalized citizens and then registering them to 
vote. As a young activist, Frank rose rapidly through the ranks of the 
Essex County Republican Party, becoming chairman of the Essex County 
Young Republican Party and then eventually being elected chairman of 
the New Jersey's State Young Republicans in 1948.
  In the late 1950's, Frank turned to newspaper publishing as a career, 
and purchased his hometown newspaper, the Nutley Sun. Eventually he 
acquired several other newspapers and these served as the nucleus for 
what has since become known as Orechio Communications Co. Although now 
a newspaper publisher, Frank never abandoned the political field, 
serving in the capacity as either campaign director or confidential 
aide to such prominent national figures as Nelson Rockefeller and 
Richard Nixon.
  Eventually Frank's dual commitment to politics and community led him 
to be appointed as a commissioner to the North Jersey District Water 
Supply Commission in 1966. In his capacity as commissioner, in which he 
served 16 years, Frank was able to depoliticize the commission and 
provide leadership for the commission's operations at Wanaque.
  After serving 11 years as project coordinator for Wanaque South, 
Frank was appointed director of facilities planning and water resources 
development in 1993, and served in this position until his retirement 
in January 1997. Upon his retirement, Frank can proudly claim 
accomplishment for the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission 
being recognized not only as the motivating force for water resource 
development in New Jersey, but also as an innovator when it comes to 
overcoming obstacles associated with similar large-scale public works 
projects throughout the Nation. Also, Frank deserves praise for the 
computerization of filtration plants, which although were built in the 
1970's, are still hailed as the most modern and effective in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Frank's wife, 
Edith and the citizens of Nutley in recognizing the accomplishments of 
Frank A. Orechio and his dedication to the public.

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