[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SUSAN PATTE FOR HER SELECTION AS ``WOMAN OF THE YEAR'' 
        BY THE LACKAWANNA COUNTY FEDERATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Susan 
Patte of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of her selection to be 
honored as ``Woman of the Year'' for 2010 by the Lackawanna County 
Federation of Democratic Women.
  Mrs. Patte is a daughter of the late Aldone and Bernie Melesky.
  She graduated from West Scranton High School in the class of 1963.
  She went on to marry Anthony J. Patte and the couple has four 
children: Deborah Ann Riccardo, Susan A. Kahlau, Lisa Tulaney and Tony 
B. Patte.
  Mr. and Mrs. Patte also have five grandchildren: Michael Riccardo, 
Tanner Kahlau, Alex Tulaney, Jack Tulaney and Annie Kahlau.
  Mrs. Patte is employed as a bookkeeper and accountant in the 
Lackawanna County Treasurer's Office.
  She served eight years on the Scranton School Board which included 
two years as President of the Board and one year as Vice President of 
the Board.
  During her tenure on the school board, Memorial Stadium was 
refurbished and West Scranton High School was renovated. She 
participated in labor contract negotiations as part of her 
responsibilities. She also oversaw implementation of the federal No 
Child Left Behind Program and also helped develop the SAVES program 
that provides continued education for children who are expelled. She 
was also chair of the Special Education Committee during implementation 
of the federal IDEA program.
  She is a past President of the Lackawanna County Federation of 
Democratic Women, having served in that office during 2007 and 2008.
  Currently, she is serving as Fourth Vice President of the 
Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women.
  She is an active community volunteer for organizations that include 
the Scranton Tomorrow Winter in the City Project and also the American 
Cancer Society's Ball of Hope Committee.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Susan Patte on this 
auspicious occasion.
  Throughout her many years of outstanding service to her community, 
she has been an inspirational force in demonstrating to those who will 
follow her the importance of contributing to the betterment of her 
neighbors through political action and charitable volunteerism.
  Clearly, Mrs. Patte has contributed to the improvement of the quality 
of life throughout the region and, for that, she has earned the respect 
and admiration of a grateful community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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