[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BLAISE ALAN DENTE, RECIPIENT OF THE SCRANTON 
           CHAPTER UNICO'S UNICAN OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2014

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                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2015

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Blaise Alan 
Dente, who has been named the 2014 UNICAN of the Year for the Scranton 
Chapter of UNICO. UNICO is the largest Italian American service and 
volunteer organization in the United States, and many of my 
constituents, especially those living in the Wyoming Valley, have come 
to know Mr. Dente well through the Scranton Chapter.
  Mr. Dente is a lifelong resident of Pittston, PA, having graduated 
from Seton Catholic High School before matriculating to East 
Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. There, he earned a Bachelor of 
Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management; a degree that he 
has put to commendable use in his ownership and operation of Dente's 
Catering and Rental.
  As a member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), Mr. Dente 
obtained his certification as a Certified Chef de Cuisine, and in 2011, 
was inducted as an ``honorary fellow'' in the American Academy of 
Chefs, a prestigious subset within the ACF. Mr. Dente has earned a slew 
of other esteemed decorations, including medals, ribbons, and 
certificates for his work in both hot and cold food competitions. He 
was subsequently named the ACF Chapter Chef of the Year in 2008.
  As an active member of the Scranton Chapter of UNICO since 2004, Mr. 
Dente and his staff host an annual dinner meeting for the chapter's 
membership. However, his service to the community extends beyond the 
kitchen. Mr. Dente is a member of both the Wilkes-Barre and Greater 
Scranton Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, he actively volunteers for 
the Pittston Tomato Festival Committee and is a Fourth Degree Knight of 
Columbus Council 372 & Assembly 948. Such diverse and committed 
involvement certainly contributed to Mr. Dente being named one of the 
``Top 40 under 40'' Business Professionals in 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Blaise Alan Dente for his proven 
commitment to bettering the lives of those within the Scranton Chapter 
of UNICO, as well as the lives of those individuals within my own 
district. I congratulate him for the distinguished honor in being named 
the 2014 UNICAN of the Year, and know that he will continue to pursue 
bright endeavors in the future.

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