[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E158-E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS OF PALMA YANNI

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 2014

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Palma Yanni, who 
has been named Lady of the Year by UNICO, the nation's largest Italian-
American service organization. Palma Yanni was born in Scranton, 
Pennsylvania to Casper and Rose Torchia Adamo. She was raised in 
Scranton and graduated from Scranton Technical High School. She is a 
former member of St. Anthony's Church in Scranton, and is now a member 
of St. Peter's Cathedral. Prior to raising her own family, she worked 
at JC Penney and the Holly Shop in downtown Scranton. While her 
children were in school, she was an active member of the PTA and served 
as President.
  Through her work with local service organizations, Palma has 
demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community service. She has been 
an active member of the Scranton Chapter of UNICO's Ladies Auxiliary 
for the past 30 years, holding offices of Corresponding Secretary and 
President and is a member of the Board of Directors, where she has 
chaired and assisted in many Auxiliary events.
  In 2003, when women began to join, Palma began working with the 
Scranton Chapter of UNICO. She was elected Second Vice President in 
2009 and in 2011 became the first woman to serve as President of the 
Scranton chapter of UNICO--the largest chapter in the country. She also 
serves on the Board of Directors and was elected Chair of the Board in 
2012. Palma was also named President of Ladies Auxiliary of the North 
Scranton Knights of Columbus, is a member of St. Joseph's Center 
Auxiliary and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and 
volunteers with ``Family to Family'' and St. Peter's Cathedral.
  Although she has just recently earned national recognition, Palma 
Yanni has been a pillar of the Scranton service community for decades. 
She remains an active member in the Scranton UNICO chapter, 
volunteering and

[[Page E159]]

working on all local functions and events. I am proud to congratulate 
Palma Yanni on being named UNICO's Lady of the Year, and thank her for 
her decades of leadership and selfless dedication to serving others.

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