[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 181 (Thursday, December 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF ANGELA SANFILIPPO AND J.J. BARTLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2013

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Angela 
Sanfilippo and Mr. J.J. Bartlett, this year's recipients of the 
Offshore Mariners' Wives ``Friends of the Fishing Industry'' awards.
  In late 1994, a group of people got together and formed an 
organization called the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership. The name 
was fitting, as it truly has been an organization or partnership of as 
many as eighteen distinct fishing organizations from throughout the 
state. The group's founders soon recognized the strong need for 
comprehensive health care for fishermen and their families.
  One of the original founding members of the MFP and one of this 
year's award recipients is Mrs. Angela Sanfilippo. Ms. Sanfilippo is 
well known throughout the industry. For thirty-seven years she has been 
a constant crusader for the fishermen of Gloucester in her role as the 
President of the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association. She has 
battled to prevent the drilling for oil on Georges Bank and to keep The 
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary open to fishing, both 
commercial and recreational. Her many years of dedicated service to the 
local fishing industry have been invaluable to its success.
  This year's second recipient of the ``Friend of the Fishing Industry 
Award'' was Mr. J.J. Bartlett. For twenty years he has served as the 
focal point of the ``Fishing Partnership's Health Plan'' and has worked 
tirelessly on creating and providing affordable, comprehensive health 
care for fishing industry families. In 2008 the Boston Business Journal 
named him a ``40 under 40'' honoree, and in 2009 he testified on rural 
health issues and hard to reach populations at the request of the White 
House Office of Health Reform. The Fishing Partnership under the 
guidance of Mr. Bartlett now provides access to professional 
counseling, assistance with health insurance applications, and offering 
Safety at Sea Training. The Fishing Partnership has now become the 
Human Resource Department for the Massachusetts fishing community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Ms. Angela Sanfilippo and Mr. J.J. 
Bartlett, this year's recipients of the Offshore Mariners' Wives 
``Friends of the Fishing Industry'' awards. I ask that my colleagues 
join me in thanking them for their service to the local Massachusetts 
fishing industry.

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