[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 108 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        JOSEPH RUDAWSKI HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House of Representatives to the long history of service to the 
community by Joseph G. Rudawski, President of MMI Preparatory School, 
Freeland, Pennsylvania, who will be honored August 4 on the occasion of 
his retirement after more than 36 years of service to the school.
  I have known Joe Rudawski for many years and can attest to his 
dedication to improving the lives of his students. He has been an 
extraordinary educator, and the entire MMI Prep community will miss his 
optimism, tenacity and leadership.
  Born in Nanticoke, he is a 1959 graduate of Marymount High School in 
Wilkes-Barre and a 1963 graduate of King's College with a Bachelor of 
Arts degree in mathematics, minors in education and English. He earned 
a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University 
of Scranton in 1967.
  Mr. Rudawski began his service at MMI in September 1964 as a 
mathematics and psychology instructor and progressed to the positions 
of guidance director and dean of faculty before becoming president in 
1973. During his time as president, he continued to directly serve the 
students as guidance director and later as college counselor.
  During his tenure, thousands of students have passed through the 
white doors on Centre Street in Freeland and have gone on to achieve 
tremendous success. The school has undergone a remarkable 
transformation under his leadership. The small preparatory school 
expanded greatly, with a $1 million addition built in 1979, and a $1.1 
million capital campaign in 1990-91. He also oversaw The Campaign for 
MMI, which raised more than $9 million for the school's endowment fund 
and the construction of a new science and technology wing and an 
athletics and drama complex.
  Over the years, he has served the community in many capacities, 
including director of the Freeland YMCA, former division chairman of 
the United Way, director and member of the Freeland Rotary Club, a 
board member of Lutheran Welfare Services, a member of the PCTN-TV 
Community Advisory Board, director of the Eckley Miner's Village 
Association, and chairman and member of several committees at St. 
Casimir's Church and the Roman Catholic Community of Freeland. He is 
also a past president of the Luzerne County Counselor's Association.
  He has received numerous awards for his academic and community 
achievements, including the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary 
International, the Citizen of the Year award from the Freeland Sons of 
Erin, a Declaration of Achievement from the Pennsylvania Senate, the 
Community Award sponsored by the Freeland Veterans of Foreign Wars, and 
an Appreciation Award from the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the 
Arthritis Foundation.
  In May 2001, he announced his intentions to retire from the school so 
he could spend more time with his wife of 34 years, Jean, his four 
children--Joe Jr., Tamra Ann, Valerie, and Jeanne, all MMI graduates--
and his grandchildren. He expects to continue volunteering in the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives the long and distinguished service of Joseph Rudawski 
to MMI Preparatory School and the community, and I wish him all the 
best.

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