[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1368-E1369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO JOHN PETROLL, DEPUTY MAYOR OF WEST ORANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
John Petroll, deputy mayor of West Orange, NJ.
  John has dutifully served the township of West Orange for decades. He 
began his service to the township of West Orange as a police officer 
and always was conscious of giving back to the community. He was a 
special police officer at Rock Spring Country Club and at Midlantic 
Bank, and has served as president of New Jersey Special Police 
Association. John has been the deputy mayor of West Orange for the past 
19 years, celebrating his 20th year at townhall this month. At 87 years 
of age, he walks to and from work every day, arriving as early as 6 
a.m., to begin working for the citizens of West Orange. John sorts 
through the mail, organizes schedules and gets the offices ready for 
the late-comers.
  John, together with the clerks in the administration office, put 
together the ``West Orange Outlook,'' a monthly informational packet 
outlining special activities and events. The township's recycling 
center relies on John to field telephone calls from residents with 
questions and problems, and municipal officials depend on him to 
arrange special weekend meetings. His favorite duty by his own 
admission is community advertising--maintaining the announcement sign 
in front of the township hall. John is also the township's resident 
historian.
  According to Murray Palent, council president of the West Orange Town 
Council, ``John

[[Page E1369]]

is a permanent fixture in West Orange'' and ``is always there when you 
need him, always willing to lend anyone a hand.'' West Orange Mayor Sam 
Spina has stated that John, ``is a loyal, dedicated, trustworthy 
friend, someone this entire town can count on. He takes care of so much 
for us, and we are very lucky to have him.'' His generosity to people, 
organizations, and causes is well known, as well.
  Throughout the years, John has been a good friend of Mr. and Mrs. 
Thomas Alva Edison, Charles Edison, and former Governor Brendan Byrne. 
John has two children, John and Robert, three grandchildren, Karen, 
Bryan and Kevin, and four great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, John's family 
and friends, and the township of West Orange in recognizing John 
Petroll's outstanding and invaluable service to the community of West 
Orange.

                          ____________________