[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 58 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING MICHAEL BUTERA, ESQ., ON A SUCCESSFUL TERM AS PRESIDENT 
            OF THE WILKES-BARRE LAW AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Attorney 
Michael Butera, immediate past president of the Wilkes-Barre Law and 
Library Association in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
  Attorney Butera performed in an exemplary manner by providing 
leadership and direction to a proud and prestigious organization 
founded 156 years ago on June 18, 1850.
  A graduate of the University of Scranton and Temple University School 
of Law, Attorney Butera has been in the private practice of law since 
1976 in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
  He is also active with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American 
Bar Association, Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association 
and the Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Attorney 
Butera served on the Wyoming Area School Board for six years. He also 
served as president of the board of Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, 
president of the board of the Greater Pittston YMCA and was vice 
president of the Third Legislative District for the Luzerne County 
Democrat Party. He is also a charter member of the St. Martin Society.
  The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association was located in the 
county Court House located on Wilkes-Barre's Public Square from 1859 to 
1909 when it was moved to the second floor of the current county Court 
House at 200 N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre.
  The Law Library contains over 20,000 volumes of law books, reports 
and journals. The Law Library also operates the Luzerne Legal Register, 
the law journal of Luzerne County and the official reporter of the 
decisions of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County. A lawyer 
referral service is also operated out of the law library for people who 
need a lawyer but do not know whom to contact.
  The Law and Library Association also operates a charitable foundation 
that supports charitable and humanitarian projects throughout Luzerne 
County. It is intended to enhance the public's understanding and 
appreciation of the legal system in Luzerne County, ensure access to 
legal information and representation to all members of the Luzerne 
County community and foster good relations between members of the Bar, 
Judiciary and the public.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Attorney Butera on a 
job well done. His devotion to community service is reflected in his 
tireless pursuit of excellence on behalf of the Wilkes-Barre Law and 
Library Association.

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