[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BLOOMFIELD CITIZENS COUNCIL AWARDS

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                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 1998

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a number of 
Pittsburgh residents who will be honored on May 1 with Bloomfield 
Citizens Council Awards. Every year, the Bloomfield Citizens Council 
makes these awards as a way of recognizing members of the community who 
have made a significant contribution to the quality of life in 
Bloomfield. I would like to take this opportunity to mention the 1998 
award winners and commend them for their efforts to make Bloomfield a 
better place to live.
  For their work with Operation Charlie, which ministers to the needs 
of needy children and senior citizens, Donna and Dennis Ramallo have 
been selected as the 1998 recipients of the Mary Cercone Outstanding 
Citizen Award. This award is given to individuals who demonstrate ``an 
unfselfish commitment to others and a deep love for the community of 
Bloomfield. Through Operation Charlie, the Ramallos have provided gifts 
of clothing, toys, personal items, and school supplies to needy local 
residents. They have also made contributions to local food pantries, 
and they have college scholarships to deserving high school students.
  A Community Commitment Award will go to Rose Larus, who has 
volunteered her time and energy in the community for more than 13 
years. Over that period of time, she has organized events to educate 
and screen residents for a host of health-related problems, established 
the non-profit organization Senior Friends, helped with the annual 
Senior Festival, co-chaired the Immaculate Conception/St. Joseph blood 
drives, raised money for Meals on Wheels and local food banks, worked 
with the Catholic Youth Organization, and volunteered for many worthy 
causes. She volunteers an average of 100 hours per month.
  A Public Safety Award will be bestowed upon Officer Mildred Johnson, 
who has worked for a number of years out of Zone Five Station to 
prevent crime and keep young people from using drugs.
  The Bloomfield Citizens Council is presenting a number of Youth 
Dedication Awards this year. One recipient of the Youth Dedication 
Award this year will be Dan Brannigan, who has been actively involved 
with the Bloomfield Catholic basketball team, composed of high-school-
age boys, for the last four years. Another Youth Dedication Award will 
go to Lundo DiMarco, who was actively involved in putting together the 
Tri-Ward Baseball League, which consists of more than 200 boys from the 
ages of 5 to 17. Lawrence Camerota will also receive a Youth Dedication 
Award for his many efforts to teach young people the joys of athletic 
competition. Mr. Camerota coached Little League Baseball with the 
Bloomfield Youth Athletic Association for more than 30 years. He 
coached the Immaculate Conception football team for a number of years, 
and he recently helped to organize the Tri-Ward Baseball League. 
Dominic Piccola will get a Youth Dedication Award for coaching young 
people in Little League, the Tri-Ward Baseball League, and the 
Bloomfield Street Hockey League. Marlene Hennigan and Barbara 
Zielmanski--also known as ``the Thompson Sisters''--will share a Youth 
Dedication Award for their more than 20 years of work with the 
Bloomfield Girls Athletic Association. Finally, Vinessa Gentile Turpin 
will receive a Youth Dedication Award for more than 25 years of 
teaching at Immaculate Conception School and Peabody High School, as 
well as her many after-school volunteer activities, which included the 
National Junior Honor Society, school yearbooks and newspapers, science 
fairs, spelling bees, debate leagues, Upward Bound, as well as stints 
as tennis coach, soccer coach, and basketball coach.
  The Bloomfield Citizens Council will also present a host of awards 
for Christmas decorations again this year. Nancy Goldberg will receive 
the Most Festive Award for her Christmas light display in memory of her 
husband Sam Goldberg. John and Nancy Greegus will receive the Most 
Artistic Design Award for the decorations adorning their home. Mike and 
Ortenza Magliocco will receive the Best Use of Frontage Award. John and 
Norma Feigel will receive the Keeping Christ in Christmas Award for 
their decorations with a religious theme. Nick and Dolores DiGiacomo 
will receive the Most Outstanding and Completely Decorated Home Award 
this year, their third award in as many. And finally, Phyliss Kutosky 
and Lucille Tortorea--a mother-and-daughter team--will receive the Most 
Elaborate Property Decoration Award for decorating the property they 
share.
  The individuals receiving 1998 Bloomfield Citizens Council awards 
have all helped to improve the quality of life in Bloomfield. I commend 
them for their efforts.

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