[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF GLORIA BLANDINA FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2015

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gloria Blandina. 
Ms. Blandina is to receive the 2014 Joseph Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of 
Service Award, presented by the Greater Pittston Sunday Dispatch for 
her lifelong dedication to the development of young children.
  Born and raised in Pittston, Pennsylvania, she received a degree in 
early childhood education from West Virginia University in 1971. Ms. 
Blandina went on to receive her Master's degree in Early Childhood 
Education from Marywood University in Scranton. She spent several years 
working at a day care center and teaching early childhood education at 
Penn State University before her appointment to the Children's Trust 
Fund by Governor Tom Ridge in 1998. In addition to her numerous 
professional accomplishments, Ms. Blandina is an active member of her 
community. She volunteers with the Social Justice Committee to deliver 
food to individuals in need. She has served on the board of directors 
of Luzerne County Head Start, the Pittston YMCA, the Family Enhancement 
Center, and as the President of the St. Mary's Assumption Home School 
Association for the Education of Young Children.
  Ms. Blandina is currently the director of the Pittston Care and 
Concern Free Health Clinic, which offers a range of medical services to 
individuals without health insurance. The clinic has served over 3,500 
patients under Ms. Blandina's leadership. She, like the doctors, 
nurses, social workers, and others who keep the clinic running, 
volunteers her time to this worthy cause that has helped so many in 
northeastern Pennsylvania.
  I congratulate Ms. Blandina on receiving the Joseph Saporito, Sr. 
Lifetime of Service Award, and I commend her for all the selfless work 
she has done for the Greater Pittston Area.

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