[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            KEVIN O'DONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Kevin O'Donnell who is 
receiving the 2014 Greater Hazleton Friends of Scouting Distinguished 
Citizen of the Year award.
   Mr. O'Donnell is the president of CAN DO, Inc. which is a private, 
non-profit industrial/economic development corporation serving the 
Greater Hazleton area in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He began his career 
with CAN DO in 1973 as assistant director, and in 1984, was named 
director, a title that was changed to president in 1995 and one that he 
continues to hold today.
   The Greater Hazleton Friends of Scouting Distinguished Citizen award 
recognizes individuals who set a positive example for others and 
demonstrate selfless concern and care for their communities. For the 
past 40 years, through his work with CAN DO and other efforts, Mr. 
O'Donnell has attracted regional, national, and global companies to do 
business in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which in turn has created 
thousands of jobs and produced hundreds of millions of dollars for the 
local economy.
   In addition to his most recent award, Mr. O'Donnell has been 
recognized countless times for his selfless contributions to the 
community. In 1984, he was the first individual ever named, ``Developer 
of the Year'' by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association. In 
2006, he received the Ben Franklin Innovation Award ``Special 
Achievement'' for contributions to the Great Valley Technology 
Alliance, and in 2009, he was inducted into the Northeast 
Pennsylvania's Business Hall of Fame. Mr. O'Donnell has also been 
recognized for his work as a former officer and member of several local 
educational institutions and community and civic groups. He currently 
is on the board for the Wiltsie Center for the Performing Arts and 
serves as a member of the Hazleton Civic Partnership Advisory 
Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Hazleton Rotary Club.
   Mr. Speaker, Mr. O'Donnell has made countless contributions to 
improving life for residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Therefore, I 
commend him for his hard work and congratulate him on receiving the 
2014 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award from the Greater Hazleton 
Friends of Scouting.

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