[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 43 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF BOBBY O'GUREK, RECIPIENT OF THE PANTHER VALLEY IRISH 
                  AMERICANS ASSOCIATION SHAMROCK AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2014

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Bobby O'Gurek, 
who on March 17, 2014 will receive the Shamrock Award from the Panther 
Valley Irish Americans Association. Bobby was born on St. Patrick's Day 
in 1982, to Robert and Patricia O'Gurek. He has lived with cerebral 
palsy since birth, and become an indispensable part of his community.
  He graduated from Panther Valley High School in 1999, where he was 
named the ``Most Persistent Student.'' Bobby went on to Lehigh County 
Community College, where he earned his associate's degree as a Computer 
Specialist with a concentration in Web Development. After college, 
Bobby began designing websites for S & O Computers, LLC. In 2010, he 
established his own web design business. To date, Bobby's company has 
designed and maintained 19 websites for local government offices and 
small businesses.
  Since he was a teenager, Bobby has volunteered his time to keep his 
community safe as a member of the volunteer Diligence Fire Company No. 
1 in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania. After joining in 1994, he is now a 
senior member, auditor and trustee of the Fire Company, and he 
contributes his technological expertise to designing and maintaining 
the Fire Company's web page.
  Although cerebral palsy prevents him from walking and speaking on his 
own, Bobby is involved with many outreach programs to spread awareness 
about disabilities. In 1998, he started speaking via the assistance of 
technology at the Pittsburgh Employment conference, hosted for speech 
pathologists and individuals with all kinds of disabilities who use 
augmentative communication technologies. Bobby was selected in 2007 to 
receive the Edwin and Ester Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture Award in 
Boston, an award presented annually to a community activist who uses a 
communication device. He was asked to give a speech at a Massachusetts 
conference entitled ``My Life with Assistive Technology and Community 
Interactions.'' Bobby is also a participant of ``Through Their Eyes'' 
conference at East Stroudsburg University, where he has addressed 
students majoring Speech Pathology. He is also an ambassador for 
Prentke Romich Company, increasing knowledge across Pennsylvania about 
the assistive technology that helps him communicate.
  Bobby O'Gurek's work throughout his life has made his community a 
safer and brighter place. His perseverance in overcoming cerebral palsy 
to get his education and start his own business, his willingness to 
devote his time and technological skills to serve the Panther Valley, 
and his refusal to let his disability prevent him from achieving his 
goals are nothing short of inspirational. I congratulate Bobby O'Gurek 
on his years of service to his community and wish him many more.

                          ____________________