[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING WILLIAM P. BURKE, THE RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON 
          FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK 2008 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2008

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to William P. 
Burke, of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, who is the 2008 recipient of the 
Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Achievement Award.
  He graduated in 1956 from St. John's High School in Pittston and 
later from the Wilkes-Barre Business College where he majored in 
finance and accounting.
  Mr. Burke served in the U.S. Army, First Armored Division, Fort Hood, 
Texas, from 1961 to 1963. Mr. Burke has been an active member of the 
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for 52 years.
  President Harry S. Truman was guest speaker at the first Friendly 
Sons banquet Mr. Burke attended. Mr. Burke is a sustaining member and 
past president of the organization. He was the recipient of the Man of 
the Year Award in 1991.
  Mr. Burke is a charter member of the Wolfe Tone Luzerne County 
Division I Ancient Order of Hibernians and is presently chairman of the 
standing committee. He is a member of the President John F. Kennedy 
Council 372 Knights of Columbus and its Fourth Degree, serving as 
comptroller for the past 40 years. He is also a member of the Knights 
of Columbus Choir.
  Mr. Burke is a member of St. Casimir, St. John the Baptist, St. John 
the Evangelist, and St. Joseph Parish, Pittston, where he serves as an 
usher and a senior altar server. He is also a member of the parish 
finance council.
  Mr. Burke has been a baseball coach in the West Pittston Little 
League and a basketball coach for the Wyoming Area Catholic High 
School.
  He has served as chairman of the West Pittston Democrat Organization 
and he is a former member of the Luzerne County Democrat Executive 
Committee. He also served as parade chairman for the Pittston Tomato 
Festival.
  Mr. Burke is a member of Fox Hill Country Club and the West Side 
Social Club, Avoca. After 37 years of employment with Pope and Talbot 
Company, he served for several years as director of purchasing for 
Luzerne County, a post from which he retired in 2006.
  Mr. Burke and his wife, Nora, are the parents of three children. They 
also have nine grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Burke on the 
occasion of this special honor. Mr. Burke's dedication to family and 
community has improved the quality of life and highlighted the value of 
service above self.

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