[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CONGRATULATING ALMA BERLOT WHO WAS SELECTED AS ``WOMAN OF THE YEAR'' BY 
                    THE WYOMING VALLEY WOMAN'S CLUB

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Alma 
Berlot of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, who was chosen as Woman of the Year 
by the Wyoming Valley Woman's Club for the year 2006.
  Mrs. Berlot is affectionately known as the coal miner's daughter 
because of the dedicated work she did to spearhead the drive to place a 
statue of a coal miner at the intersection of East Main Street and 
Kosciuszko Street in Nanticoke. Mrs. Berlot did that to immortalize the 
sacrifices made by her father and thousands of other mine workers who 
labored deep underground in often dangerous conditions to support their 
families and to invigorate the regional economy.
  Mrs. Berlot is now working to get a postage stamp that will honor the 
coal miners for their courage and bravery.
  Mrs. Berlot's father, Ed Salvadore, lost his life in the mines. Her 
mother, Elizabeth Tulli, was killed in a car crash by a drunken driver. 
In tribute to her parents, Mrs. Berlot subsequently organized a 
talented group of children and young adults who entertain at nursing 
homes, veteran's gatherings, etc. The group is called ``Make Someone 
Happy.''
  Over the years, Mrs. Berlot has received many awards from two State 
hospitals for her work with the mentally challenged and also the 
Special Olympics.
  Mrs. Berlot is married to Alvin Berlot and the couple has four 
children: Dr. Alvin Berlot, Attorney Melissa McCafferty, Gina Bunchalk, 
RNBSRN and Madonna Trombetta, RN.
  The Wyoming Valley Woman's Club gives its ``Woman of the Year'' award 
annually to a worthy woman for her outstanding contributions to the 
Wyoming Valley. The selection committee is composed of past award 
winners including Doris J. Merrill, chairperson, Nanticoke; Anna 
Cervenak, Kingston; Rose Marie Panzitta, Wilkes-Barre; Judith Ellis, 
College Misericordia; Rose Mary Sigmund, Luzeme; Martha Elko, Kingston 
and Ann MacFarland, president, Wilkes-Barre.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Berlot on the 
occasion of this outstanding achievement. Mrs. Berlot's devotion to 
community service is well known and it is fitting that she should 
receive this award.

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