[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA AND MONTELLA, ITALY CELEBRATE NINE YEARS OF 
                               SISTERHOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable 
relationship between two wonderful cities--one here in the United 
States and the other in Italy. Nine years ago, the borough of 
Norristown in my district in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and 
Montella, Italy established a Sister Cities program that has grown 
stronger each year.
  Sister Cities International is an organization that motivates and 
empowers municipal officials, volunteers and youth to conduct long-term 
programs of mutual benefit and interest between two cities. Norristown 
and Montella have certainly taken advantage of this program. Norristown 
is an active participant in the Sister Cities program and has been 
fortunate to develop a partnership with people of Montella in the 
Province of Avellino, Italy. Montella is the home for many first and 
second generation Italian Americans who now reside in Norristown.
  Thanks to the continued efforts of Norristown officials including 
Mayor Ted LeBlanc and officials from Montella including Mayor Bruno 
Fierro and Councilperson Carmelina Chiaradonna, this relationship has 
been successful in creating an atmosphere in which economic, cultural 
and personal ties have been implemented and strengthened.
  Later this month, Joseph Byrnes, President of the Norristown Borough 
Council, will travel to Montella to visit Norristown's Sister City. I 
hope this experience, like the other personal, cultural and 
governmental contacts over the past nine years, will be enriching and 
enlightening, and I am pleased to have him represent Norristown on this 
exciting occasion.

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