[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 64 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   REMEMBERING EDWARD J. CERNIC, SR.

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Edward J. 
Cernic, Sr., a beloved father, grandfather, husband, politician, and 
member of his community in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA. 
Affectionately known as ``Pap,'' Ed dedicated his life to his family 
and community. Ed passed away on March 21, 2018, at the age of 85.
  Ed believed in the importance of civic duty and touched countless 
lives in his hometown of Tanneryville, near Johnstown. He cared deeply 
about his community and was a powerful advocate for his region, 
especially in times of turmoil. In the aftermath of the 1977 Johnstown 
Flood, a disaster which took 84 lives in Cambria County, Ed headed the 
Tanneryville Flood Recovery Association and raised more than $100,000 
in recovery funds. He was a leader in an effort that took 17 busloads 
of people to Washington, DC to advocate for Federal flood relief 
funding. He even maneuvered a meeting with President Jimmy Carter after 
slipping a note to first lady Rosalyn Carter during a campaign stop in 
Johnstown. Their brief sit-down resulted in Federal support for the 
entire city. That was the kind of leader that Ed was: an honorable man 
with a big heart, who always put his community first.
  Ed was a natural and successful businessman, founding several 
businesses that made Cernic a brand name throughout the region. He was 
proud to be able to create jobs in his community.
  He was a major force in local and State politics and a dedicated 
champion for transportation and infrastructure projects in Cambria 
County. In a region that has faced many challenges, he was a man of 
action who courageously fought to push the community forward. Though 
well-known for his friendships with Democratic public officials and 
political candidates, Ed never hesitated to reach across the aisle to 
help the community and was highly respected by members of both parties. 
Ed served as chairman of the Greater Johnstown Water Authority and 
commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission. He 
participated in many other local nonprofit and charitable 
organizations.
  Ed's impact on his community is most evident at his famous, annual 
summer picnic at Cernic's Picnic Grove. Ed had a unique ability to 
gather people from far and wide--elected officials, political 
candidates, business leaders, and community leaders--to celebrate and 
show their support for the people of Cambria County. This yearly 
gathering exemplifies Ed's contributions to the State and local 
community, as well as what he valued most: family, friends, and his 
beloved hometown.
  Ed's legacy will endure in the jobs he created, the communities he 
supported, and the people he served. Johnstown and Cambria County had 
no stronger champion. As a Pennsylvanian and as a friend of Ed and his 
family, I will miss his generous spirit and his passion for helping the 
people of his home county. We extend our condolences to Ed Cernic, Jr., 
and the Cernic family.

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