[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO CPL. JOSEPH R. POKORNY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2005

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. House of 
Representatives, I rise to honor the priceless life and courageous 
public service career of State Police Corporal Joseph R. Pokorny.
  Fearless, responsible, tough, professional, elite, hero. These are 
some of the apt words that Joseph's friends and colleagues have used to 
describe him in recent days. Thousands have mourned the loss of 
Corporal Pokorny, who was senselessly killed in the line of duty during 
the early morning of December 12, 2005.
  Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Joseph and his family moved to 
Center as a young boy. He graduated from Center Area High School in 
1978 and attended Indiana University. Joseph later graduated from the 
Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey in 1983, before embarking 
on a distinguished law enforcement career of 22 years.
  In 2000, he was promoted to the rank of corporal--a monumental 
accomplishment on the elite Pennsylvania State Police force. Joseph 
always served with uncommon courage, a firm commitment to protecting 
the public, and a fervent passion for the American way of life.
  Of all the recent tributes to Corporal Pokorny, perhaps the greatest 
compliment paid to him was that a close friend who grew up with Joseph 
said, ``he was a real Pittsburgh guy.''
  During this holiday season, my thoughts and prayers have especially 
been with Corporal Pokorny's parents, Joseph Sr. and Florence, and his 
teenage son and daughter, Joseph, and Alexandra. They were the most 
important people in Joseph's life.
  The world is a safer, better place because of Joseph Pokorny. My 
fellow citizens of southwestern Pennsylvania and I owe Corporal Pokorny 
a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________