[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 55 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E516-E517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TO RECOGNIZE RALPH DiGUISEPPE, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2014

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bristol Borough 
Council President, Ralph DiGuiseppe, Jr.
  Strong values and close family ties are the hallmark of the 
DiGuiseppe family. Ralph's grandparents journeyed here from Italy, 
passing through Ellis Island just as many of our own ancestors had, and 
then settled in the Delaware Valley. Ralph's parents met at a dance in 
Bristol Borough. They eventually married and made Bristol Borough their 
home.
  Ralph is a proud, lifelong resident of Bristol Borough--a true 
``Bristolian.'' He is proud to serve as President of the Bristol 
Borough Council and has passed on the value of service to the next 
generation of DiGuiseppes as his son, Ralph DiGuiseppe III, serves on 
the Bristol Borough School Board.
  Ralph has volunteered countless hours at St. Ann's Parish as a 
project manager and a laborer, and strengthened the parish's finances 
by reinstituting the annual carnival, an iconic Bristol event. Kind and 
generous, Ralph donates to ensure traditional Thanksgiving feasts can 
be enjoyed by local families who would otherwise go without.
  Ralph has been described as an ``idealist, a dreamer, always thinking 
in long term.'' He believes the American Dream is a dream come true for 
the DiGuiseppe family. From his first day on council, his goal has been 
simply to improve the quality of life for the residents of Bristol 
Borough.
  ``Welcome Friend'' has been Bristol's motto since a wooden sign 
greeted the Marquis de Lafayette on his ``Farewell Tour of America'' in 
1824. The original sign still hangs within the Borough Hall, where it 
continues to greet locals and newcomers. Ralph views every individual 
he meets as important. He truly embodies this simple gesture, ``Welcome 
Friend,'' and graciously welcomes all into the Bristol Borough family.
  I commend Ralph DiGuiseppe Jr. for his selfless dedication to his 
community and his never ending pursuit of the American Dream for his 
family and fellow Bristolians.

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