[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING PATTY LAWLER ON BEING NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE 
            LACKAWANNA COUNTY FEDERATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patty 
Lawler as the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women names 
her Woman of the Year.
  Patty is the daughter of James and Dolores Lawler. She was born and 
raised in the MidValley area, and currently lives in Clarks Summit, 
Pennsylvania.
  Patty is a graduate of St. Patrick's High School in Olyphant. She 
graduated from Marywood University with a bachelor of arts degree in 
education and theater. Patty was active in many clubs and organizations 
on campus and was president of the class of 1971. She was a member of 
the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Marywood 
Players. She held leading roles in many productions on campus and 
chaired several committees including Sophomore Parents' Weekend and the 
Junior Prom. Patty is listed in the 1971 edition of Who's Who Among 
Students in American Colleges and Universities.
  Patty completed her graduate work at Catholic University of America 
in Washington, D.C. in theater and directing. She participated in 
Shakespearean productions and represented the university at a meeting 
with Ed McMahon in New York City.
  Patty currently works as a second grade teacher in the Lakeland 
School District, where she is in her 27th year in the education field. 
She has served as director of the Lakeland Curtain Club and also 
teaches theater courses for Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit. 
She has also worked at a summer camp for the Association for Retarded 
Citizens of Wyoming County where she trained campers in the basics of 
acting for a performance on the last day of camp.
  Patty is a past president of the Lackawanna County Federation of 
Democratic Women. She ran as a delegate for John Kerry to the 2004 
Democratic National Convention and received the highest number of votes 
in each of the counties in her district. She attended the convention in 
Boston in July 2004 not only as a delegate, but also as a member of the 
Pennsylvania State Education Association Caucus.
  Patty is currently a member of the Pennsylvania State Education 
Association, the Lakeland Education Association, the Laurel Garden 
Club, and the Rock and Mineral Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She 
is a very active member of the Lackawanna County Humane Society, of 
which she is a former board member. She can still be seen walking dogs 
in the St. Patrick's Day parade or serving refreshments at fund raising 
events. Patty is a member of the Marywood Alumni Club of Northeastern 
Pennsylvania and belongs to Holy Rosary Parish in Scranton, where she 
is a member of the choir. Patty was recently appointed to the Saint 
Joseph's Auxiliary Board and is working diligently on this year's 
summer festival.
  Patty received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association 
for Retarded Citizens of Wyoming County for organizing the adoption of 
a ward program at Clarks Summit State Hospital.
  Quality education and honest politics are Patty's passions. She was 
exposed to politics at a very early age when she and her sister 
accompanied her parents to political functions. The family attended 
functions such as the National Association of Postmasters Convention at 
the Waldorf Astoria. Patty's father was the postmaster of Olyphant and 
first cousin to County Commissioner Mike Lawler and Assistant 
Postmaster General Jo Jo Lawler. The families were very close, and 
Patty recalls that, as little girls, she and her sister would accompany 
their dad to the corner in Jessup where the men met to talk about 
politics.
  Patty Lawler has a devotion to the community and expresses that 
through her willingness to volunteer her talents helping others. The 
Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women is awarding this honor 
to her this year because she works so hard to make a difference in 
Lackawanna County.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Lawler on the 
prestigious honor of being named Woman of the Year by the Lackawanna 
County Federation of Democratic Women.

                          ____________________