[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REDINGTON HOTEL, NOW THE 
                  GENETTI HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 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. Gus 
Genetti, owner of the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-
Barre Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the 
opening of the Redington Hotel.
  Mr. Genetti acquired the Redington Hotel in 1963 and proceeded to 
renovate and expand that facility into a landmark haven of hospitality 
in Wilkes-Barre's downtown.
  Built by John Redington, the hotel was opened October 11, 1906, at 
the corner of East Market Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. The 
lavish seven story hotel was designed by the prominent architectural 
firm of McCormick and French. The facility contained many modern 
conveniences, such as a dining room, telephone exchange, public bath, 
barber shop, butcher shop and bakery. Many notable visitors stayed at 
the hotel including comedians Abbott and Costello.
  In October, 1922, John Redington retired and leased the hotel to the 
Keystone State Hotel Association. In 1930, Mr. Redington with his son, 
John A., Jr., resumed management of the hotel until John Senior's death 
on January 24, 1941.
  In February, 1942, the hotel was purchased from the Redington estate 
through a sheriff's sale by Conrad F. Goeringer. Goeringer sold the 
hotel to Morgus Enterprises on May 20, 1960.
  With the decline and eventual termination of the Lehigh Valley Rail 
Service, changing hotel standards and the opening of motels on the 
outskirts of Wilkes-Barre, the Redington fell on hard times.
  The hotel changed hands once again at sheriff's sale, eventually 
being purchased by Mr. Genetti in July, 1963. The hotel was 
subsequently upgraded, modernized and reopened in September, 1963, as 
the Genetti Hotel.
  The hotel was again renovated after the Agnes flood of 1972 and has 
been continually improved and enlarged since then. The hotel's frontage 
now extends along the entire second block of East Market Street.
  Despite the Agnes flood of 1972 and a fire on New Year's Day in 1999, 
the Genetti Hotel has maintained its position as a premier lodging, 
dining and meeting destination in Wilkes-Barre.
  On a personal note, I have known the Genetti family for more than 50 
years and Mr. Genetti's prominence as a hotelier and restaurateur 
parallels that of his father, who was equally well known and respected 
throughout the region.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Genetti on this 
milestone occasion. Throughout adversity and success, Mr. Genetti has 
proven himself to be one of Wilkes-Barre's outstanding businessmen and 
community leaders. His commitment and dedication to Wilkes-Barre's 
economic development is exceptional. And, for that, he deserves the 
gratitude of the entire region.

                          ____________________