[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STEPHEN BARROUK AS HE LEAVES THE 
             WILKES-BARRE CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. 
Stephen Barrouk, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, who has served as 
president and chief executive officer of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of 
Business and Industry from 1989 until earlier this month.
  Mr. Barrouk's extraordinary leadership has helped guide and forge the 
beginning of a truly remarkable revitalization of the City of Wilkes-
Barre.
  Since 1989, Mr. Barrouk has led the growth of the Chamber from 500 
members to 1,338 members in 2005. He has been at the forefront of a 
litany of catalytic projects that have transformed the region. Those 
projects include the Wachovia Arena, an entertainment venue that has 
spawned tens of millions of dollars of commercial expansion and created 
hundreds of new jobs. An innovation center was carved out of a vacant 
department store complex in central city to nurture fledgling 
businesses. Public Square Commons, formerly the Pomeroy's Department 
Store, was completely renovated to provide first class office space. 
Also during his tenure, Mr. Barrouk secured an American Hockey League 
franchise and recruited the Penguins as an anchor tenant for the 
Wachovia Arena.
  In addition, Mr. Barrouk helped launch a 14-screen downtown theater 
complex as well as studies for the Susquehanna Riverfront Convention 
Center and Hotel and the Riverfront Museum.
  Mr. Barrouk also led the way for the development of two business 
parks, Hanover Crossings and the East Mountain Corporate Center, both 
of which have major tenants responsible for creating hundreds of jobs.
  During his tenure he managed three capital campaigns that raised over 
$10 million to support 15 years of economic development marketing that 
attracted over 125 new companies to the region. He also led the effort 
to create Penn's Northeast, Inc., a regional marketing organization; 
the Diamond City Partnership and Downtown Business Association, the 
Great Valley Technology Alliance and the Luzern County Convention 
Center Authority which manages the Arena.
  Mr. Barrouk has been the worthy recipient of numerous service awards, 
among them the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of 
America; the Distinguished Leader Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre; a 
25 Year Leadership Star Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre, a Special 
Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Partnership and, 
in 2001, he received the Chamber of the Year award from the 
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania 
Chamber of Commerce executives in 2001.

  Mr. Barrouk serves on the boards of directors of numerous 
organizations including 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, Chairman of 
Steering Committee for the Renew Pennsylvania effort; NEPA Alliance; 
Luzerne-Schuylkill Counties Work Force Investment Board; Great Valley 
Technology Alliance; Joint Urban Studies Center, Earth Conservancy, 
United Way of Wyoming Valley, Catholic Social Services and the Diamond 
City Partnership.
  On a personal note, I have worked closely with Steve on many projects 
over the last 17 years. There is no economic development official who 
is more dedicated to improving the quality of life in our area. His 
perseverance, hard work and integrity made him one of the most 
effective leaders in our area. I am proud to call him a friend and look 
forward to continuing working with him to help northeastern 
Pennsylvania for many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Barrouk for the 
exemplary community service he has contributed over the past 17 years. 
His commitment to revitalizing the Wilkes-Barre area has been 
responsible for a wealth of community improvements that have greatly 
enhanced the quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________