[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO EUGENE COPPOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention Mr. 
Eugene Coppola as he is honored by the Fidelians as their 1997 Man of 
the Year on Saturday, November 1, 1997. He has earned this prestigious 
honor by becoming a driving force behind the Fidelians' magnanimous and 
numerous charitable efforts.
  The Fidelians were founded in 1939 as an organization to help inner 
city youth. It has grown in the ensuing decades and can now claim over 
100 members. As an organization, the Fidelians own a 3\1/2\ acre camp 
in North Haledon. Each summer, they administer a summer camp for 
children with Down's syndrome. In addition, they assist other camps 
that utilize their facilities, including a camp from Paterson that 
supports children with cerebral palsy.
  For early two decades, Eugene has played a vital and integral role in 
directing the charitable deeds of the Fidelians. He has been a member 
for over 17 years. Eugene has also demonstrated a unique capacity to 
lead, serving as president of the Fidelians and sitting on the board of 
trustees for several years.
  Eugene has born and raised in Paterson, attending Public School No. 
18 and Eastside High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in 
business administration from Seton Hall University. A resident of 
Franklin Lakes, Eugene and his wife, Stephanie, are the proud parents 
of two children, Victoria and Michael.
  However, the story of Eugene's success neither begins nor ends with 
his involvement with the Fidelians. Eugene also serves the community in 
a multitude of other capacities. As a member of the Most Blessed 
Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes, he is the treasurer and a board 
member of the Catholic Charities of Passaic and Sussex Counties. Eugene 
is a trustee for the IBEW 1158 Pension and Welfare Fund, a position he 
has held for the past decade. He has been the president of the Mount 
Joseph's Childrens' Center in Totowa. In addition to his charity work 
with the Fidelians, Eugene supports the Deborah Heart Center, the Sloan 
Kettering Cancer Center, and the National Kidney Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleague, Mr. Coppola's 
family, and the Fidelians in recognizing Mr. Eugene Coppola as the 
Fidelians' Man of the Year for 1997.

                          ____________________