[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E890-E891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING JAKE BURKE UPON HIS RETIREMENT WITH TRI-COMMUNITY ACTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2020

  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm honored to congratulate Gerald ``Jake'' 
Burke upon his retirement after 50 years of service with Tri-County 
Community Action to our community, Commonwealth, and Country. Jake was 
born on September 11, 1944 in Shippensburg, delivered by his 
grandmother at home. Growing

[[Page E891]]

up, he was a member of both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts before 
beginning high school. He graduated from Shippensburg High School in 
1962, and from the Barber School Harrisburg the following year. He was 
a member of the AV Club in addition to the proud owner of a 1952 Chevy 
Coupe, his first car. Jake started his work for Community Action in 
1968, working part-time until 1970. He returned in 1972 as a full-time 
Community Development Coordinator working from the Shippensburg 
location, and has been with the agency since, becoming Housing 
Counselor in 1994. With Community Action, Jake has helped thousands 
achieve their goals, connecting first-time homebuyers to needed 
resources, and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
  While working for Community Action, he managed to balance a litany of 
other roles that serve as a testament to his character. He worked at 
both the Carlisle and Chambersburg Hospitals in the 1980s and 90s, 
graduated Columbia School of Broadcasting in 1980, and honed his craft 
at WSHP radio, all while owning his own business--JB's Disc Jockey 
Service, which operated into the 2000s.
  Jake is a cancer survivor of 26 years, and remains active in marching 
bands while being a world-renowned Masters Powerlifting Champion. He is 
a member of the Reilly Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps and the leader of the 
Dungeon Powerlifting Crew at the Front Street YMCA, holding numerous 
world records for his age group. Jake is also a member of the Mt. 
Pisgah AME Zion Church and the Locus Grove Cemetery Committee 
Firefighter Vigilant Hose Company No. 52. He loves gardening, the LA 
Dodgers, trains, fireworks, motorcycles, books, firearms, mini whiskey 
bottles, music, and enjoys collecting African-American relics.
  Jake will tell you that his biggest and proudest accomplishment, by 
far, is his family. He is the proud father of five children (Andrew, 
Gerald, Mike, Kacey, and Ashley), 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-
grandchildren. Jake has lived his life by his personal mantra: ``Never 
stop learning. Live everyday as if it were your last. Put your faith in 
God and never give up.''
  With great honor, I commend Gerald ``Jake'' Burke's distinguished 
career of service to Tri-County Community Action, the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.

                          ____________________