[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 75 (Tuesday, June 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE GREATER HAZLETON CAN-DO ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 
Greater Hazleton CAN-DO organization on the occasion of its 50th 
anniversary.
  In 1956, when the deep anthracite coal mines were closing and 
regional unemployment reached 30 percent, Dr. Edgar Dessen, a local 
radiologist, formed a new committee to investigate how best to go about 
economic development.
  Realizing that they would need funds to pursue their objectives, they 
began collecting dimes solicited from the regional citizenry. The 
unusual fundraiser netted about $14,000, enough to buy more than 800 
acres of land that became the Valmont Industrial Park. Eventually, it 
would grow into a 4,000-acre industrial corridor that would need major 
investment for infrastructure.
  Dr. Dessen set a goal of $500,000 to be raised in three weeks. A 
local banker told him ``You can't do that!'' But, he replied, ``Yes, we 
can do.'' Thus was born the CAN-DO organization, an acronym that 
preceded the title which later was proclaimed to be the ``Community 
Area New Development Organization.''
  Indeed, in that first major fundraiser, CAN-DO did not raise 
$500,000; it raised $740,000. Two more fund drives followed. One 
yielded $830,000, while the second raised $710,000.
  The Valmont Industrial Park development was so successful that CAN-DO 
eventually acquired 1,150 more acres of land and created the Humboldt 
Industrial Park nearby.
  Over the years, CAN-DO has been responsible for the development of 
over 3,500 acres for economic development, created 20,000 new jobs, 
increased the area's payroll by $240 million, leveraged private 
investment of more than $1.5 billion, and increased the local tax base 
by 20 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the CAN-DO organization 
on this auspicious occasion. Those associated with CAN-DO over the past 
50 years have made significant contributions to the quality of life in 
the greater Hazleton area and, for that, we should all be grateful.

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