[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            GRIMES TO BE HONORED BY GREATER PITTSTON CHAMBER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2002

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House of Representatives to the well-deserved recognition that the 
Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce will provide to Mr. John F. 
Grimes, a good friend of mine, at its 80th annual dinner meeting on May 
1.
  It is with good reason that the Chamber refers to Jack as its 
``secret weapon'' for attracting quality businesses to sites in the 
Pittston area. He was instrumental in the recently announced agreement 
to bring 1,200 jobs to the area at the new TJ Maxx distribution center 
to be located in the Vogelbacher Industrial Park. In all, the Chamber 
credits Jack as being responsible for bringing 4,500 jobs to the 
Greater Pittston Area since his involvement began with the Chamber.
  Jack has deep roots in the community--he was born in Pittston and has 
lived there all of his life. In 1942, after graduating from St. John 
the Evangelist High School, Jack began a 21-year career with the Lehigh 
Valley Railroad. Within just a few years of beginning his career with 
the railroad, Jack was appointed assistant division engineer and became 
the youngest person ever to be assigned to that position of 
responsibility. During his career, Jack earned two professional 
licenses: surveyor and civil engineer.
  Although Jack remained very committed to his job, he has also made 
community service a major part of his life. He served as the president 
of the Lions Club of Pittston, and has been a lector and usher at St. 
Mary's Church. He has also contributed to the city of Pittston by 
serving as a member, secretary and president of the planning commission 
over a period of more than 30 years.
  Knowing of Jack's commitment to his community, his colleagues called 
on him to be the executive director of the Pittston Chamber of 
Commerce. During his tenure, Jack reactivated the Pittston Area 
Industrial Development Authority as a subsidiary function of the 
chamber. He has aggressively campaigned to bring new industry to the 
region, and he has helped publicize Pittston's strongest assets to 
companies seeking to relocate in the city. Jack Grimes has become a 
valuable partner with local, county, and State officials who diligently 
work to revitalize the Greater Pittston area. For all of these reasons, 
the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick rightly honored Jack as their Man of 
the Year in 1996.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Greater Pittston area, I 
extend my deepest appreciation to Jack Grimes for his lifetime of 
commitment to promoting industrial and business development throughout 
his community. I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives his service to the community and the well-deserved 
tribute he will receive on May 1, and I wish him all the best.

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