[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BRUNO DeGOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and 
celebrate the life of Bruno DeGol of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania who passed 
away on May 14th surrounded by his family and friends at the age of 86.
  It is not an easy task to summarize a life so rich in accomplishment 
as the one lived by Bruno DeGol. For many of my constituents in 
Pennsylvania Bruno DeGol was best known as an amazingly successful 
entrepreneur, a noted philanthropist and as someone who never forgot 
his roots in the community where he grew up and prospered. I agree with 
that sentiment and I can say without question Bruno will be missed by 
all who knew him and knew of him.
  You don't get to be as successful in life as Bruno DeGol by backing 
down to a challenge and Bruno never did. In World War II he took part 
in the D-Day Invasion as a soldier with the Army's 102nd Infantry 
Division. Bruno left the Army at the end of the war with an honorable 
service record that included the Bronze Star and numerous medals and 
commendations for his service.
  Like so many other returning veterans looking for a start in post-war 
America, Bruno took a chance and opened his first of many business 
ventures in 1950. By 1972, his business, a construction materials 
company, had grown and expanded to four locations in Blair and Cambria 
Counties in Pennsylvania. Today, through careful expansion by his sons, 
DeGol Brothers Lumber now serves consumers in Pennsylvania, 
Connecticut, and Florida.
  Bruno was a consummate entrepreneur with razor sharp business acumen. 
However, he will be even more fondly remembered for the way he gave 
back to the people and the community he loved so much. Bruno's 
philanthropy is most evident in the good work that continues to be done 
by the Bruno & Lena DeGol Family Foundation as well as his long-
standing support of St. Francis University.
  Bruno built his version of the American Dream through hard work, 
determination and the support of his loving family. In fact, even 
though he was successful in so many things, building his family with 
his wife Lena was Bruno's most significant achievement. His five 
children; Don, Dave, Gloria, Bruno Jr., and Dennis and his 18 
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren have been left a tremendous 
legacy to build upon.
  Bruno DeGol will be remembered as a visionary and a humanitarian in 
business and community service. He will be missed by his family, his 
friends and by the countless people he touched throughout his long and 
wonderful life. I send my thoughts and my prayers to the DeGol family 
in their time of loss and ask the House to join me in honoring Bruno 
DeGol and celebrating his life.

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