[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 191 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DONNA GORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and mark 
the retirement of Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority. Donna is a 
friend and colleague whose work has left an indelible mark on her 
community. It has been an honor to work with her over her extensive 
career in the Commissioner's office to help improve the lives of our 
shared constituents. I join many other local elected officials, friends 
and neighbors in wishing her well in her retirement.
  It is difficult to fit in all of the things Donna has accomplished 
over her 28 years in public office. First and foremost, Donna has the 
distinction of serving as the first female member of the Blair County 
Board of Commissioners. Donna has long been known for being a champion 
for children and health and human services issues throughout the 
county. Over her time in office, Donna developed a track record as a 
strong advocate for funding the county's Human Services Office, which 
provides support for homeless families and juvenile delinquency 
prevention.
  In addition, Donna has been deeply involved in a program that is also 
very important to me: Operation Our Town in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 
Operation Our Town is a successful partnership between businesses and 
communities throughout Central Pennsylvania whose mission is to rid 
neighborhoods of drugs and drug-related violent crime. Operation Our 
Town completes its mission through community policing and proven 
treatment and prevention techniques. I am proud to have had her as an 
ally in applying Operation Our Town's techniques to Altoona.
  Donna has been the recipient of a number of awards over her career. 
She was recognized as part of the ``Outstanding Young Women in 
America'' in 1978, was named Boss of the Year in 1986 by the American 
Business Women's Association, won the President's Award by the County 
Commissioner's Association of Pennsylvania in 1994, received the 
Leadership Award from the Blair County NAACP in 2003 and the Lifetime 
Achievement Award this year by Blair Countians for Drug Free 
Communities. Again, these are but a few of her accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Donna Gority on her successful 28 years 
in public office and wish her well in her retirement. She will leave 
Blair County's government and the people it represents in better shape 
than when she found it. In the end, I believe that should be the goal 
of every public servant. Without question, Donna accomplished that 
goal.

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