[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1087-H1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THREE PENNSYLVANIANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, some say that America is 
successful because of what we do here in Washington. I couldn't 
disagree more. America is successful because of her citizens. And 
tonight, I want to share and talk about and recognize three such 
individuals from Clinton County, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, the first is Donald Mellott. On Friday, February 12, 
2010, veteran fire policeman Donald G. Mellott made the ultimate 
sacrifice in the line of duty while serving the citizens and 
communities of Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Mellott tragically 
lost his life while working to control the traffic scene of a two-
vehicle crash on Lusk Run in Bald Eagle Township.
  A long-time public servant in Clinton County, he most recently served 
as captain of the Woolrich Fire Police Association. Captain Mellott was 
instrumental in shaping the future of the Clinton County Fire Police 
Association.
  He began his public service at the age of 16 and served his 
communities for 46

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years. His involvement originated in his home community of Flemington, 
and he has been an active member of the Lock Haven Citizens, Dunnstown, 
and Woolrich fire departments. He was also involved in public service 
as a member of the local Masonic Lodge.
  Captain Donald Mellott's life embodies that of a true American hero. 
He lived and served with a commitment to making a difference in the 
lives of both his neighbors and complete strangers. He sacrificed 
personally, missing family time, meals, and full nights of rest when 
called upon to serve those in need.
  While we mourn the loss of this American hero, we celebrate his 
lifetime record of service and his principles of public service. The 
families of all fire and emergency personnel share in the service and 
sacrifices of their loved ones. To the Mellott family, please know that 
I am keeping you in my prayers during this very difficult time.
  The second individual, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor today is Jerry 
Updegraff, who has spent 20 years raising funds to advance the causes 
of Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
  He plans to retire with a balance sheet of more than $40 million in 
contributions and other income that has come to the university during 
his tenure as executive director of the Lock Haven University 
Foundation.
  Jerry represented the university on the Council for the Advancement 
and Support of Education and was past chair of the Clinton County 
Economic Partnership. Last month, he received a lifetime service award 
from CASE for his contributions to higher education over the course of 
his 42-year career.
  I also know him as a former member of the executive board of the 
Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where he served with 
honor.
  Prior to joining Lock Haven, Jerry had public relations and 
fundraising responsibilities at the University of Toledo, Bowling Green 
State University, and the University of Charleston.
  Jerry recently surpassed the $10 million fundraising goal in Lock 
Haven University's capital campaign by helping to raise $11.6 million. 
We thank Jerry for his dedication and his outstanding service to Lock 
Haven, and wish him well on his retirement.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I recognize Lock Haven University President 
Keith T. Miller. Keith has been an outstanding representative for the 
college. Enrollment has grown under his tenure, as has the honors 
program. Lock Haven has achieved All-Steinway status and qualified for 
National Science Foundation grants since Dr. Miller arrived in 2004.
  He is a warm individual whose dedication to the school was always in 
evidence. He never stopped promoting and believing in the mission of 
the university. I am pleased for Dr. Miller that he is going to assume 
the reins of Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, in 
July. Their gain is our loss.
  Before Lock Haven, Miller was provost and vice chancellor of the 
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, dean of the College of Business at 
Niagara University in New York, and associate dean of the School of 
Business at Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut.
  He holds a bachelor's, a master's, and a Ph.D. from the University of 
Arizona, but he has also worked in sales for Proctor & Gamble. He 
counted that as good experience for teaching business. I can continue 
to describe his distinguished career and many attributes, but suffice 
it to say that Lock Haven and Lock Haven University will miss Dr. 
Miller, as will I.

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