[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING ANNA CERVENAK AND MAX BARTIKOWSKY, HONOREES OF THE 
    GREATER WILKES-BARRE SOCIETY OF FELLOWS, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my 
distinguished colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute 
to Anna Cervenak and Max Bartikowsky, recipients of the Anti-Defamation 
League's Distinguished Community Service Award.
  This award is presented to persons who are dedicated champions of 
human rights and have distinguished themselves by civic, philanthropic 
and other extraordinary activities.
  Max Bartikowsky was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 
His celebrity began at an early age, being the impish inspiration for a 
shoeshine boy character called ``Little Max'' created by the famous 
cartoonist, Ham Fisher, who originated the ``Joe Palooka'' comic strip 
once syndicated in over 900 newspapers nationwide. Fisher was also a 
native of northeastern Pennsylvania.
  Bartikowsky graduated from Wyoming Seminary after which he attended 
the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and Wilkes College. He 
served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He went on to complete the 
Gemological Institute of America's Diamond Grading Class after which he 
took an active role as the third generation in the Bartikowsky family 
jewelry business. Today, he is president and CEO of Bartikowsky 
Jewelers, currently celebrating 121 years in business.
  Bartikowsky has been especially active with the Jewish Community 
Center (JCC) where he has served as president, a member of the board of 
trustees and the board of directors. He is a supporter of the JCC's 
Fitness Center, JCC Camp, JCC Basketball Banquet and the JCC 5:30 Club.
  He also serves on the board of Temple Israel where his grandfather 
was the first president in 1924. He is a past president of the Wilkes-
Barre Lions Club and Jewish Family Services and has been a member of 
Masonic Lodge 655, Caldwell Consistory, and Irem Temple for 50 years. 
He is also a supporter of Wyoming Seminary.
  Bartikowsky has been honored by the Knights of the Saber, JCC 5:30 
Club, Wyoming Valley Family Service Association and the Jewish Family 
Service. He was also featured in articles in the Outlook and 
Pennsylvania Heritage magazines.
  Anna Cervenak graduated from Forty Fort High School and College 
Misericordia where she earned a bachelor of social work degree. She 
went on to Marywood University where she earned a master's degree in 
social work. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, Social Work Honor Society, 
she was elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities 
and Colleges.
  Cervenak started her career at Bell of Pennsylvania while still in 
high school. She worked as an operator, in engineering, employment and 
as the company's public speaker. When she retired from Verizon in 2007, 
she was Director of Community Relations/Public Affairs.
  A past president of Junior Achievement, she is currently a member of 
its board of directors. She is also a member of the board of directors 
of Penn's Northeast, Great Valley Technology Alliance, Pittston Chamber 
of Commerce, Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, Athena 
Award Committee, Victim's Resource Center, Catholic Youth Center, 
Catholic Social Services, King's College President's Council, Luzerne 
County Community College Foundation, Penn State-Wilkes-Barre, Step-By-
Step, Boy Scouts of America, Blond Association, Circle 200 and the 
Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts. Ms. Cervenak also 
chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee to save Tobyhanna Army Depot, Burn 
Foundation and the Jewish Family Service Advisory Board.
  Her awards include Athena Award, Top 50 Business Women in 
Pennsylvania, Top Business Women in Northeastern Pennsylvania, 
Arthritis Foundation Community Leader of the Year, Susan B. Roebling 
Distinguished Citizen Award, Wyoming Valley Woman's Pathfinder Award, 
NEPA Boy Scouts Woman of the Year Award.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Bartikowsky and 
Ms. Cervenak. Their extraordinary community service to northeastern 
Pennsylvania is both legendary and inspiring. They have clearly made a 
significant contribution to the improvement of the regional quality of 
life and, for that, we are all grateful.

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