[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOV. WILLIAM W. SCRANTON, RECIPIENT 
            OF THE 2007 MONSIGNOR MCGOWAN CORNERSTONE AWARD

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to former 
Pennsylvania Gov. William W. Scranton who is being honored as this 
year's recipient of the Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Cornerstone Award.
  This prestigious award honors an individual who best exemplifies the 
spirit, leadership and service of Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan as a catalyst 
for social, cultural and economic growth, and to promote the charitable 
ideals of philanthropy and collaboration in northeastern Pennsylvania.
  The Monsignor McGowan Cornerstone Award was designed through the 
efforts of the nonprofit organizations throughout northeastern 
Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region that benefited from Monsignor 
McGowan's participation as a board member and a mentor for community 
improvement.
  Governor Scranton has distinguished himself in so many ways 
throughout his eventful life.
  In 1941 he interrupted his law school education at Yale to enter the 
United States Army Air Corps where he served as an Air Transport 
Command pilot during World War II.
  Following the war, he completed his law school education and began 
private legal practice as well as participation in several businesses.
  In 1959, he was appointed by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to 
serve as special assistant to U.S. Secretary of State John Foster 
Dulles. A year later, he ran and was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
  In 1962, he was elected governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
and, during his term, he signed into law sweeping reforms in the 
State's educational system including creation of the State community 
college system, the State board of education and the State Higher 
Education Assistance Agency. In addition, he created a program designed 
to promote the State in national and international markets and to 
increase the attractiveness of the State's products and services.
  In 1967 and 1968, Governor Scranton participated in the Pennsylvania 
Constitutional Convention and helped write a new constitution for the 
State.
  Since then, he has served on the boards of directors of some of 
America's most influential companies including A&P, IBM, the New York 
Times, Pan American Airways and the H. J. Heinz Company. He also served 
as president of the Northeastern National Bank and Trust Company.
  In 1976, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford named him U.S. Ambassador to 
the United Nations where he served with distinction until his 
retirement.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Governor Scranton for 
the contributions he has made to the northeastern Pennsylvania 
community he cherishes so much and to this Nation which owes him a 
profound debt of gratitude for his years of service and his remarkable 
achievements.
  And let us also recognize the late Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan who 
labored tirelessly to improve the quality of life in his beloved 
community and to inspire others to share in the joy of service to 
mankind.
  It is indeed fitting that the first Monsignor McGowan Cornerstone 
Award be presented to an outstanding Pennsylvanian who shares the same 
zeal for community service as the man for whom this award is named.

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