[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF KEVIN J. O'BRIEN, SR., RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER 
             PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS' MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2020

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin J. 
O'Brien Sr. who will be named Man of the Year by the Greater Pittston 
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He will be honored at the group's 106th 
annual gathering on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
  Born and raised in Avoca, Pennsylvania, Kevin is the son of the late 
Michael J. O'Brien, a former Friendly Sons President, and Mary Moore 
O'Brien. He is a 1974 graduate of Pittston Area High School, and he 
attended Luzerne County Community College, studying fire science 
technology. Kevin is the proud father of his son, Kevin Jr., and 
currently resides in Duryea, Pennsylvania.
  Kevin was president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons in 1989, 
the year that the organization celebrated its 75th anniversary. Under 
his leadership, the Friendly Sons Scholarship was established, and 
Kevin's family was an original donor to the program.
  He began his career in public safety in 1978, working as a radio 
operator/dispatcher for the Luzerne County Civil Defense. During his 
27-year career, Kevin rose to the rank of deputy director of the 
Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency. During those years, he 
oversaw the planning, training, and response to all natural and manmade 
disasters throughout Luzerne County. He concluded his 30 year-career 
with the county as a lead crash and rescue firefighter at the Wilkes 
Barre/Scranton International Airport.
  Kevin has also dedicated his time to local fire service. He has been 
a member of the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department for the past 45 years. 
Kevin also became a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy instructor, 
conducting fire training programs throughout the Commonwealth. In 2011, 
he was awarded the title of instructor emeritus from the academy.
  In addition to his volunteer fire service and full-time employment in 
emergency management, he also worked part time at the Pocono Raceway, 
starting in 1985 as a pit road fireman and eventually becoming fire 
chief at the facility. Kevin served as a NASCAR Advanced Training 
Program instructor and became a member of the NASCAR Safety Standards 
and Training Committee. In 2013, the NASCAR Track Services Division 
recognized Kevin for his dedication to the sport, and its safety, by 
awarding him the NASCAR Excellence in Track Services Award.
  It is an honor to join the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. 
Patrick as they recognize Kevin J. O'Brien Sr. as Man of the Year. He 
has had a successful career in service to his community, and I wish him 
all the best on this St. Patrick's Day.

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