[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           CASTELLINO HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a close 
personal friend and devoted public servant, Frank Castellino, upon the 
occasion of his retirement. Frank will be honored by his friends and 
colleagues on March 23rd, and I am honored to have been asked to 
participate in this event. Frank Castellino is an institution in 
Luzerne County Courthouse, and his daily presence will be missed by 
everyone who has become so accustomed to his warmth and genuine concern 
for people.
  Frank Castellino began his public service as a clerk in the Luzerne 
County Recorder of Deeds office in 1940. In 1968 he was elected 
Recorder of Deeds and proceeded to serve eight consecutive terms. No 
matter how busy he was, Frank always had time to get personally 
involved in solving people's problems.
  I first came to know Frank Castellino when I was a boy tagging along 
with father as he visited the Recorder of Deeds office in his law 
practice. Later I grew to know him as the father of one of my 
classmates at Dickinson School of Law. Once I began my own practice of 
law, I frequently took advantage of his considerable expertise and 
helpfulness.
  A lifelong resident of Pittston, Frank also served as Alderman from 
1946 to 1966. He is a member and past president of the Pittston Lions 
Club and the Luzerne County Columbus League, which erected the Columbus 
memorial in Pittston. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. 
Under Frank's leadership, the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds office 
was the first in the state to computerize its records.
  Mr. Speaker, the Luzerne County Board of Commissioners paid a fitting 
tribute to Frank when they praised him as a ``gracious and good-natured 
gentleman, who carried out his professional and personal 
responsibilities with a zeal many of us would envy, and whose broad 
community impact can never be fully measured.''
  I am pleased and proud to join with the Commissioners in thanking 
Frank Castellino for his years of dedicated service to Luzerne County 
and commending him on a ``job well done.'' I send my sincere best 
wishes for a happy, healthy and productive retirement.

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