[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 171 (Saturday, November 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2399-E2400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING KAREN L. MARTYNICK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Karen L. 
Martynick for her twelve years of service as Commissioner on the 
Chester County Board of Commissioners.
   Karen Martynick has been a Chester County Commissioner since 1992 
and has served as Chairman of the Board for five years. As 
Commissioner, Ms. Martynick oversees a budget of $450 million and a 
workforce of 2500 employees and is responsible for administering and 
funding a wide array of departments, programs and services.
   Under Commissioner Martynick's leadership, Chester County 
implemented a new comprehensive land development plan called 
``Landscapes'' which has received numerous awards and been cited as a 
model for other counties around the Commonwealth and the country. Her 
land use work resulted in her selection by Governor Ridge to 
participate on his Sound Land Use Advisory Committee. Ms. Martynick was 
also selected by her colleagues to chair the Sustainable Communities 
Task Force, a special initiative of the County Commissioners 
Association of Pennsylvania. In addition, she also serves on the Board 
of Directors of the Association and has chaired the Legislative and 
Community and Economic Development Committees. In 1999, Commissioner 
Martynick was elected to the Board of Directors of the National 
Association of Counties. During her tenure, she has been named to the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's ``Honor Roll of Women'' and in 1998 was 
selected by her colleagues throughout the state

[[Page E2400]]

as the Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year.
   In addition to her duties as County Commissioner, Karen Martynick 
has served for ten years as a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania 
Transportation Authority (SEPTA). As a SEPTA Board Member, Commissioner 
Martynick has been an advocate for increased public transit in the 
suburbs and pushed for improved service to Chester County. She has 
served on the Operations Committee and the Budget and Planning 
Committee of SEPTA and currently chairs the Administration Committee. 
In 2001, Ms. Martynick was named by Administrator Christie Todd Whitman 
as one of 15 local officials from around the country to serve on the 
EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee.
   Karen Martynick has been active in her community for many years. She 
has served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Chester 
County, the People's Light and Theatre Company and as President of the 
Friends of Historic Goshenville, where she was instrumental in raising 
money to preserve two historic buildings. She was active for many years 
with the Boy Scouts of America, most recently serving as a Merit Badge 
Counselor and as a member of the District Executive Search Committee. 
She also served on the Capital Campaign Committee for the Goshen Fire 
Company, the Women of Achievement Dinner Committee for the March of 
Dimes and has taught Sunday school at her church.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me today in recognizing and 
honoring Karen L. Martynick for the hard work and civic dedication she 
has demonstrated over the years in making Chester County and the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a better place to live.

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