[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 153 (Thursday, November 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING FRANCIS BONNER OF HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA, ON THE OCCASION OF 
                     HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to my very 
good friend Mr. Francis Bonner, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, on the 
occasion of his 70th birthday celebration.
  Mr. Bonner has enjoyed an exceptional career in public service and in 
the advancement of the anthracite coal industry. He has been married to 
Marie (Clatch) Bonner for more than 40 years. They are the parents of 
Mary Pat Bonner, whose career in Democratic politics was inspired by 
her father's lifelong dedication to the Democratic party.
  Born in Hazleton, Mr. Bonner was a son of Miles and Mary Hannigan 
Bonner. He graduated from St. Gabriel's High school in Hazleton and 
Villanova University where he also pursued graduate studies. He also 
attended Clarion State College Coal Institute, the University of 
Pittsburgh Coal Gasification Liquefaction and Conversion to Electricity 
Conference and the Penn State University Coal Combustion Technology 
Seminar.
  From 1954 to 1960, he served as International Representative for 
District 50, United Mine Workers of America.
  He later served as a field investigator for the Pennsylvania 
Department of Labor and Industry.
  In the early to mid 1960s, he served as Eastern Regional 
Administrator for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. In that 
position, he conducted investigations and educational functions to 
insure compliance with legislation guaranteeing equal opportunity in 
employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
  He then worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development as an administrator for federal equal opportunity executive 
orders.
  From 1971 to 1979, he served as special personal assistant to 
Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp. In that capacity, he was directly 
responsible for the administration's energy and fuel development 
programs; industrial development programs; liaison for labor management 
relations; liaison to the state House and Senate on matters concerning 
energy and labor relations; disaster control and relief and industrial 
development.
  He later worked for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission as a 
fossil fuels coordinator, developing programs to encourage the use of 
coal in the generation of electric power.
  From 1982 to the present, he has been president of Bonner Associates 
of Pennsylvania, a firm that serves as a consultant on governmental 
affairs with special emphasis on energy, particularly coal use and 
development, health care, labor management relations and waste disposal 
and recovery.
  Honored by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and the economic 
development group, CAN-DO, as ``Hazletonian of the Year,'' Mr. Bonner 
has served his community in numerous ways, including as assistant 
director of the Villanova Urban Studies Program, Deputy state chairman 
of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, member of the Hazleton 
City Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment, member of the 
Philadelphia Fellowship Commission, member of the Pennsylvania 
Industrial Development Authority, Governor's Energy Council, United 
States Department of Energy Anthracite Task Force, Governor's Coal 
Conference, White House ad hoc Anthracite Task Force, chairman and 
member of the board of directors of St. Joseph's Hospital, Hazleton; 
chairman of the Anthracite Health and Welfare Fund and member of the 
Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review.
  On a personal level, Fran has been an astute political observer and a 
trusted advisor to me during my tenure in Congress. I have always 
valued his insight into the political atmosphere of Northeastern 
Pennsylvania and I treasure his friendship.
  Mr. Chairman, please join me in congratulating Mr. Bonner on this 
special occasion. His achievements reflect a devotion to his community 
in northeastern Pennsylvania where he has contributed to enriching the 
quality of life.

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