[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             DEICE HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to day to pay tribute to James J. 
Deice, the 1998 Person of the year of the Italian-American Association 
of Luzerne County. I am proud to have been asked to participate in the 
Association's annual Columbus Day Dinner on October 11.
  Jim played both football and track as a student at West Pittston High 
School. He majored in English at the University of Scranton and 
graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1969. He later obtained his 
Master's degree from West Chester University, Penn State University and 
University of Scranton.
  After graduating from college, Jim took a teaching job in Royersford, 
Pennsylvania but in 1972, he returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania to 
teach English at Pittston Area Senior High School. Jim also coached 
Pittston Area's track, football and wrestling teams. He coached the 
wrestling team to its first-ever District Title in 1996-97. For this 
achievement, he was honored by his fellow coaches as Coach of the Year. 
He retired from coaching in 1997. That same year, Jim received the 
Gerard M. Musto Teacher of the Year Award from the National Honor 
Society at Pittston Area.
  In additional to teaching and coaching, Jim has made his commitment 
to our community clear by his involvement in numerous activities 
outside of school. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, UNICO, 
and the Serradifalco Society. He is Chairman of he Pittston City 
Parking Authority and is active with the Pittston Tomato Festival 
Committee, co-chairing the parade for that yearly event. For five 
years, Jim chaired the track-and-field events for he Special Olympics 
of Luzerne County. during the 10 years Jim has been a member of the 
Italian-American Association, he has served as President and chaired 
several communities. He is currently the Chairman of the Association's 
Board of Director.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring the many accomplishments of Jim 
Deice to the attention of my colleagues. Jim is a community leader and 
outstanding role model for the youths he helps to shape each day. I 
applaud the Italian-American Association for their choice of honoree 
this year and send my best wishes to Jim and his family as he accepts 
this prestigious honor.

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