[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF HARRY AND BARBARA KRAMER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JASON ALTMIRE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 2 true western 
Pennsylvania heroes, Mr. Harry Kramer and his wife, Barbara. ``Uncle 
Harry,'' as he is known to generations of campers, was Executive 
Director of YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee in Fombell, Beaver County for 37 
years, before retiring this spring. On June 2, hundreds of campers, 
parents, counselors, and others touched by Harry's kindness and 
selflessness will return to Camp Kon-O-Kwee to honor Uncle Harry and 
his wife, Aunt Barbara, and to dedicate the brand new dining hall as 
``Kramer Hall.''
  Harry and Barbara have devoted their lives to helping others. 
Together they turned Camp Kon-O-Kwee from a ramshackle boys camp slated 
for closure into the country's premier camp for special needs children 
and adults. Kon-O-Kwee also serves as a place for at-risk youth 
retreats, senior citizen camping trips, school field trips, and parent-
child weekend campouts. Over 17,000 campers come to Kon-O-Kwee each 
year, and Uncle Harry and Aunt Barbara's warm smiles and big hearts 
have made an indelible imprint on each and every one.
  Madam Speaker, these 2 western Pennsylvanians are shining examples of 
what the rest of us should strive to be. They have worked tirelessly 
for almost 40 years to create a magical place that Uncle Harry has 
called ``heaven on earth.'' And for the thousands who have passed 
through Camp Kon-O-Kwee--be it for a day, a weekend, or a week--it has 
been exactly that.
  On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, I extend to them my 
deepest thanks for their years of service to western Pennsylvania and I 
wish them the very best in their well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________