[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF BILL BURKE, RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON 
              FRIENDLY SONS OF SAINT PATRICK SWINGLE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill Burke, who on 
March 17, 2016 will receive the Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston 
Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. For nearly three decades, Bill's 
dedication and service to the community has produced many ambitious 
pupils and hardworking students.
  Born in Pittston, Pennsylvania and son of William P. Burke and Nora 
Barrett Burke, Bill is married to the former Maripat Seitzinger of 
Scranton. They have four children: William, Jack, Peter, and Maeve.
  Bill is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, the University of 
Scranton, and the University of Notre Dame. He has been employed as a 
history teacher at Scranton Prep since 1990. In recognition of his 
contributions in teaching, he received The Rochelle Olifson Teacher of 
Impact Award from the University of Southern California, the Rose Kelly 
Award from the University of Scranton, and has been a finalist for the 
Disney Teacher of the Year. He has also served Scranton Prep as 
Director of Admissions and Assistant Director of the Richmond Summer 
Service Program.
  Under Bill's direction, the Scranton Prep cross-country team has won 
four PIAA State championships and twelve PIAA District II 
Championships. In his sixteen years at the helm of both cross-country 
and track, Prep has produced 18 all-state athletes and three state 
champions, and three athletes have garnered regional and national 
honors.
  As an all-state performer himself, Bill was elected to Scranton 
Prep's Athletic Honor Roll. He is also a member of the University of 
Scranton's Wall of Fame, and was elected to the Pennsylvania Sports 
Hall of Fame, North Eastern Pennsylvania Division, in 2008. Bill was 
included in the Scranton Times Tribune's Top 25 Coaches of All Time 
list in 2005.
  Bill is a member of the John F. Kennedy Council Number 372 Knights of 
Columbus, Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, and the AOH 
Wolf Tone Division Pittston. He has been a coaching instructor for 
Special Olympics. He is a founding member of the Diocese of Scranton 
Cross-Country League and is on the staff of the North Pocono football 
team as the speed and conditioning coach. He is currently the cross-
country coach at the University of Scranton.
  It is an honor to recognize Bill for all of his community 
contributions, and I congratulate him for receiving the Swingle Award. 
I am grateful for his efforts to develop young people into leaders.

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