[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 124 (Tuesday, August 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SAM LESANTE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 2011

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Sam Lesante, Sr., 
the CEO of Sam-Son Productions, for his continued dedication to 
charitable causes throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. A 
philanthropist, Lesante has been a pivotal part of securing funding for 
charities such as the United Way, Hazleton Blind Association, URS, and 
many others.
  Sam Lesante has been shining the television spotlight on these worthy 
causes for more than 30 years. Having chaired many telethons for 
research related organizations including the Muscular Dystrophy 
Foundation and the Children's Miracle Network, he developed a sense for 
how to best portray the true needs of these groups. Sixteen years ago 
Lesante began his own production company, Sam-Son Productions. Through 
``The Sam Lesante Show'' and other programs, he has continued to bring 
much-needed attention to lesser-known--and therefore lesser-funded--
local charities, in addition to the larger foundations.
  Today, Sam Lesante is furthering his efforts once again by partnering 
with the Hazleton Standard-Speaker to host Media Night in Hazleton. The 
focus of Media Night is to bring awareness to local organizations that 
are working to make the Hazleton Area and its surroundings a better 
place to call home. It is because of the tireless efforts of people 
like Sam Lesante that charities are able to thrive in an otherwise 
struggling economy. He has a special way of bringing out the best of an 
organization and making people excited about it.

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