[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E445]]
    CONGRATULATING CLIFFORD AND RUTH MELBERGER AS THEY RECEIVE THE 
 DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FROM THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Clifford 
and Ruth Melberger, of West Pittston, PA. This year, the Anti 
Defamation League of Eastern Pennsylvania has selected them to be the 
recipients of the Distinguished Community Service Award.
  Both Ruth and Clifford have been long time champions of the greater 
Wyoming Valley, the community in which they were both born and raised. 
They have consistently committed themselves to their family, 
educational programs and the growth of the region for current and 
future generations.
  Since her days as an art teacher in West Pittston and East Pennsboro 
High Schools, Ruth has worked with many community associations. She is 
presently on the board of directors of the Scranton Cultural Center, 
the West Pittston Cemetery Association, the West Pittston Historical 
Society and she has been a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program 
for 14 years. She is also an elder in her church.
  Ruth also served on the President's Council of Wilkes University, the 
boards of directors of the Pittston YMCA and the Scranton Council for 
Literacy Advance. She also headed the West Pittston Shade Tree 
Commission for 15 years.
  Ruth and Clifford founded Diversified Information Technologies, an 
information management company of which Clifford serves as president 
and chief executive officer.
  Clifford is currently on the board of trustees of Wilkes University, 
the steering committee of the Great Valley Technology Alliance, board 
of directors of the State of PA Business Roundtable and he is an elder 
in his church.
  Clifford was a member of the board of trustees of Bucknell University 
as president of their National Alumni Association. He was also a member 
of the board of Team Pennsylvania, the Greater Scranton Chamber of 
Commerce, Scranton Tomorrow, the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Touchdown Club 
and the Bison Athletic Club of Bucknell University.
  Clifford received the Arthritis Foundation's 1998 Community Leader of 
the Year Award for Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber 
of Commerce National/International Business of the Year Award, the Ben 
Franklin Partnership Award for Excellence of Innovation, Bucknell 
University's Bison Club Award for outstanding contributions to the 
University's athletic program and a member of the Wyoming Area High 
School and Bucknell University Athletic Halls of Fame.
  Clifford is also the namesake for the ``Melberger Award,'' an annual 
award presented to the most valuable Division III college football 
player in the nation.
  Ruth and Clifford are committed to educational causes as both 
attended college on scholarships. They have established the Ruth Boorom 
Melberger scholarship at Wilkes University, a Player of the Game 
scholarship at Wilkes University and Bucknell University for each home 
football game and named scholarships in honor and memory of family 
members at Bucknell University.
  Ruth earned a bachelor's degree in art education with minors in 
English and social studies from Wilkes University and Clifford earned a 
bachelors degree in business administration and a masters degree in 
education from Bucknell University.
  They have two children and six grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Melbergers. Their 
commitment to community service is exemplary and it is fitting that the 
Anti Defamation League should honor them in this way. Clearly, the 
Melbergers have improved the quality of life in the greater Wyoming 
Valley.

                          ____________________