[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E617-E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MARTIN FLAHERTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
            THE WILKES-BARRE VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Martin 
Flaherty on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania after 
more than 30 years of dedicated service. Martin, or ``Marty,'' as he is 
known by friends, co-workers, veterans, and volunteers at the VA, will 
be greatly missed and I wish him luck in the next phase of his life.
  Martin's service to the government began on April 4, 1966 when he 
joined the Army. He spent two years on a tour of duty in Germany and 
was honorably discharged on March 17, 1968 at the rank of Spec 5. After 
the Army, Marty worked for the Domestic Intelligence Division in 
Washington, D.C., and in September of 1970 he joined the Metropolitan 
Police Force in Washington.
  In the evenings, he attended Georgetown University. Marty was off to 
a promising start in life. His career in Washington was cut short when 
he left in 1973 to move back home to the Wyoming Valley to care of his 
father, who had taken ill.
  In that same year, Marty started to work for the VA Medical Center as 
a housekeeping aide. Marty worked his way up through the ranks with 
hard work and landed a job in the warehouse. From there, Marty's career 
took off.
  Now Marty is the supervisor of the Inventory Management Department, 
where he oversees the warehouse, inventory personnel, and SPD. He 
possesses great motivational skills to rally staff to accomplish tasks 
where others would say: ``it can't be done.'' And at the start of each 
day, you'll hear Marty coming down the hallway, thanking his employees 
for coming to work that day. In return, he receives a ``thank you'' 
back.
  Marty has received superior performance awards over his career at the 
VA and possesses the respect of managers above him. G. Michael Miller, 
the VISN 4 Chief Logistics Officer, states that: ``Marty is one of the 
people that makes the VA Wilkes-Barre a special place to work.'' Jackie 
Malhoyt, the former Facilities Management Director, stated that: 
``Marty looks at change as a challenge and opportunity, never as a 
threat or bother. He is an example of the heart of this medical 
center.''
  But this is not the whole story of Marty. Walk around the VA and you 
will hear other stories of Marty's selflessness and dedication, whether 
it's assisting patients to their next appointment or being a sounding 
board for a co-worker in need. You may find him purchasing the balance 
of chances for a drawing from veteran volunteers in order to help them 
meet their goal. Still, what you will probably hear most about Marty is 
how people were moved by his singing voice.

  You see, Marty has been blessed with a beautiful voice and has been 
singing since he was nine years old, when he received his first lessons 
from Mrs. Helen Schivell of Wilkes-Barre. Over and over again, Marty is 
asked to share his singing voice at various hospital events, whether 
it's a Veterans Day ceremony or an employee awards program. You may 
also find him belting out songs in patient rooms or in the VA's nursing 
home on other occasions.
  George Bath, the VA's Network Contracting Manager and Marty's former 
supervisor, notes one instance where there was an unusually large 
turnout at an employees' recognition program. George recalls: ``I 
walked into Liberty Hall and nearly every seat was taken. I turned and 
there at the head of the room, with a mike

[[Page E618]]

in hand, was Marty, getting ready to open the program. Then I heard 
someone whisper, `I hope he sings Wind Beneath My Wings.' Folks were 
there to hear Marty!''
  Beyond the walls of the VAMC, you will hear Marty's voice as a 
soloist at his church, at local nursing homes, or at other community-
based activities. And he takes nothing in return except the cheer of 
the crowd.
  In addition to singing, you will find Marty creating floral 
arrangements that he donates to his church to help raise money. Roland 
E. Moore, the Wilkes-Barre VA's Medical Center Director, sums it up: 
``Marty's work ethic and dedication to serving veterans and VA staff is 
second-to-none. Whether it's being ranked as a well-respected 
supervisor in our medical center/network or boosting the spirits of 
veterans with a song, he has truly served this institution with 
professionalism and gusto.''
  Marty will be missed for his dedication and compassion to the 
veterans he has served over the years and also by the employees who 
have had the opportunity to work alongside him. I am pleased to join my 
friends at the VA in congratulating Marty on this milestone. I wish him 
a fruitful and enjoyable retirement and, Marty, thank you for coming to 
work for the Wilkes-Barre VA.

                          ____________________