[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E22-E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH MATTHEW GONDOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the 
life and work of an outstanding individual whom I feel fortunate to 
call my friend, Mr. Joseph Matthew Gondola. He was recognized on 
Sunday, January 15, 2006, on the occasion of his retirement after 42 
years of service to the United States Postal Service, USPS.
  Joseph Gondola is the youngest of seven children, having five sisters 
and one brother. Over the course of his childhood, he overcame frequent 
hospitalization, where he received treatments for medical ailments 
ranging from septic poisoning to the dreaded disease, polio. Through it 
all, Joseph persevered and he did not allow his health problems to 
prevent him from accomplishing his goals.
  Joseph attended Central High School in Paterson, where he began his 
academic growth. This experience was translated effectively to 
Montclair State College where he received his bachelor of science and 
master of arts degrees, both cum laude. From that point, he continued 
his pursuit in higher learning at Seton Hall University.
  At age 31, Joseph was appointed Clifton postmaster by Representative 
Charles Joelson, NJ-8th, making him the youngest postmaster for that 
size postal district. Over the course of his term, he served the USPS 
as officer in charge in Jamestown, PA, and Newark, NJ. He has hosted 
and chaired many safety committee meetings in his Clifton office, and 
served on several review boards. He is

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very proud that several of his employees have also become postmasters 
under his guidance.
  Joseph has remained active in NAPUS, previously serving as president 
of the New Jersey Chapter, area vice-president, national legislative 
chairman, and postmaster representative. In 1981, he was elected to a 
2-year term as the national president of NAPUS, a position that he 
currently holds. He also serves as president of the NAPUS Federal 
Credit Union. He has served, on numerous committees for the American 
Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Saint Andrew the Apostle 
Church in Clifton, NJ.
  Joseph's tenure at both the USPS and NAPUS is a testament of his 
character and a remarkable story of one person's belief in the power of 
public service. It is only fitting that Joseph Matthew Gondola be 
honored for his commitment to improving the quality of life in Clifton, 
and on a national level through the postal service, in this, the 
permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth.
  Joseph remains happily married to Dorothy, his wife of 46 years, with 
whom he has three children, Mark, Kristen, and Jennifer, and eight 
adored grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the efforts of 
devoted public servants like Mr. Joseph Matthew Gondola. I ask that you 
join the city of Clifton, the employees of the USPS, Mr. Gondola's 
family and friends and me, in recognizing Joseph Matthew Gondola for 
his years of outstanding service to the citizens of our great Nation.

                          ____________________