[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E891-E892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ALEXANDER V. MITRENKO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED KELLER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2019

  Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize and 
congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who 
will take his oath of citizenship today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
  Nearly 19 years ago, Alex arrived in Selinsgrove for the first time 
as a 16-year-old high school exchange student from the Ukraine. Upon 
his arrival, Alexander knew no one, had no family to accompany him but 
in spirit, and spoke very little English. But as Alex stood at the 
beginning of a journey that would eventually bring him to raising his 
right hand today in allegiance to our nation, he held with him what our 
nation's earliest settlers had established and would take him toward a 
brighter and better future: the promise of America.
  Alexander readily adapted to American life by forging new friendships 
in Central Pennsylvania and joining several groups in his school: the 
soccer and baseball teams, chess club, and the school band, to name a 
few. He worked tirelessly to improve his English, studied hard, 
frequently offered a unique perspective on world events to his 
classmates, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to a friend 
in need. To this day, he continues his close friendship with his host 
father in the United States, George Kinney.

[[Page E892]]

  Upon his graduation from high school, Alexander attended Susquehanna 
University and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and 
Information Systems in 2005. He worked full-time after college and 
attended Drexel University's LeBow College of Business at night. In 
2011, he received a Master's of Business Administration in Investment 
Management and International Business. In July 2015, Alex obtained his 
green card and married his wife, Erin, later that same year in October. 
They currently reside in Selinsgrove with their three adopted cats and 
are currently restoring one of the town's historic properties on Market 
Street.
  Today, Alexander remains a selfless member of his community. He 
previously served as a volunteer firefighter, takes part in 5k races 
and soccer games to raise money for charitable causes, and frequently 
participates in volunteer opportunities through his employer, 
Prudential Financial. He is also an avid fan of the Philadelphia 
Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies.
  Madam Speaker, if today we were tasked with finding some living proof 
that demonstrates how alive and well the promise of America is today, I 
would respectfully reference this invitation to congratulate Alexander 
V. Mitrenko on becoming a citizen of the United States of America. We, 
as a free and democratic nation, congratulate and welcome him, as he is 
officially guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness.

                          ____________________