[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATIONS TO TONY LONERO, SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 12, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the 
United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring a very 
special person, Mr. Tony Lonero, as he is inducted into the 
Pennsylvania Hills Sports Hall of Fame on April 25, 2003.
  Mr. Lonero's story is one of courage and inspiration which makes all 
of us proud. An avid athlete, he excelled in baseball during his 
college years and later played in Italy's baseball major league in 
Nettuno. He participated in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as part of 
the Italian Baseball Team.
  After retiring in the late 1980s, he remained involved in coaching 
and pursued another passion, cycling. About a year and a half ago, 
while preparing for a race, he collapsed and was later diagnosed with 
multiple sclerosis. He refused to let the diagnosis stop him from 
following his dreams. He continued running and cycling, and he is now 
qualifying for the longest and most difficult race in the history of 
cycling, the Paris-Brest-Paris.
  Although living in Italy, Tony Lonero has always remained a patriotic 
American. He has maintained his U.S. citizenship and always carries out 
his civic responsibilities by voting via absentee ballot.
  Mr. Speaker, let us join in offering our warmest congratulations and 
best wishes for continued success to this outstanding athlete and 
American, Mr. Tony Lonero, as he receives the special honor of being 
inducted into the Pennsylvania Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________