[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. JOSEPH M. LOMBARDO UPON HIS SELECTION FOR LIFETIME 
                           ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Dr. Joseph 
M. Lombardo, of Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who was chosen 
by the Italian American Association of Luzerne County to receive its 
2008 ``Lifetime Achievement Award.'' I can think of no one more 
deserving of this great honor.
  Born in the city of Pittston, Pennsylvania, Dr. Lombardo is a son of 
the late Michael and Louise Ross Lombardo. He has a sister, Colette, 
and a brother, Michael. He has been married to Mary Elizabeth Smith 
Lombardo for 45 years. They are the parents of eight children: Michael, 
Joseph, James, John (deceased), Lisa, Francis, Michelle and Robert. The 
couple also has 13 grandchildren.
  Dr. Lombardo was class president and a summa cum laude graduate of 
Pittston High School in 1956. He graduated with honors from Scranton 
University with a bachelor's degree in biology. He graduated from 
Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, in 1964. He served his 
internship at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital from 1964 to 1965.
  Dr. Lombardo served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1966 at 
the rank of Captain. He served for 30 years in the inactive reserve at 
the rank of Colonel. He received a commendation from President Richard 
Nixon and Gov. Milton Schapp for meritorious service during the Vietnam 
conflict. He served as medical director for Selective Service Board No. 
97 until the end of the military draft. He was a consultant for the U. 
S. Military at AFEES Induction Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He 
was medical director for the Blood Plasma Unit in Wilkes-Barre; medical 
director for Social Security, Wilkes-Barre, from 1974 to 1988 and 
medical director, Wesley Village, 1976 to 1996.
  Dr. Lombardo started his medical practice in greater Pittston 40 
years ago. He was medical director for Heritage House and Hampton 
House. He has been the sports doctor for Pittston Area High School for 
40 years. He instituted the Department of Family Practice at Wilkes-
Barre General Hospital from 1985 to 1987. He was a member of the 
Hospital Board from 1985 to 1987. He was a board member of Retreat 
State Hospital from 1972 to 1976; a board member of Luzerne County 
Community College from 1981 to the present, the longest serving member 
of that board and he is a member of the Wilkes Hahnemann Board that 
secured a 6 year medical program and served as clinical instructor at 
Loyola Medical College and Hahnemann Medical School.
  Dr. Lombardo was elected to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Hall of 
Fame for Meritorious Service to the hospital and staff. He was also 
elected to the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame for the Sam Falcone 
Lifetime Award along with Dr. Nicholas Ruggiero and Dr. Charles Myers. 
He started the Anthracosilicosis Clinic at Wilkes-Barre General 
Hospital and served pro bono at that clinic for 15 years. He was the 
first full-time emergency room doctor at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital 
along with Dr. Pat DeGennaro. He served 15 years at Charity Clinic of 
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and 5 years as physician for the Pittston 
Blood Drive. He is also a former Rotarian.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Lombardo on the 
occasion of this auspicious honor. His devotion and commitment to the 
community in which he was born and raised has been extraordinary and is 
an inspiration to others. He is truly deserving of this special award.

                          ____________________