[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 59 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF PAUL J. MAHER FOR HIS LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO 
                       NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of public servant, community leader, and United States Army 
veteran Paul J. Maher. Paul peacefully passed away at the age of 87 on 
February 19, 2021.
  Paul was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Paul W. and Elizabeth 
Zwiebel Maher. He graduated from Mary's High School, and he remained 
actively involved with his alma mater as an alumnus, coordinating class 
reunions. He also attended Wilkes College and Wyoming Seminary.
  Answering the call to serve his country, Paul enlisted in the United 
States Army and served during the Korean conflict. Before being 
discharged as a sergeant, he served at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with 
the 81st Chemical Group attached to the 82nd Airborne, holding the 
positions of company administrator and desk sergeant. After the Army, 
he had successful careers in banking and sales.
  In 1971, Paul began his political career as the Coordinator of 
Federal Funds for the City of Wilkes-Barre where he worked closely with 
the late Congressman Dan Flood. His service to the city was 
instrumental in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes in 1972. He attended 
flood recovery meetings and helped set up trailer parks for displaced 
residents, and he was a founding member and chairman of the South 
Wilkes-Barre Action Committee. In 1976, the late chairman of the 
Commissioner Board, F.C. Wideman, Jr., appointed Paul as the first 
Luzerne County Budget and Personnel Director where he oversaw 
allocations of funds and started a program to engage service clubs and 
women's organizations in the budget process.
  In 1985, he began his 26-year career working with Congressman Paul 
Kanjorski of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District as a field 
representative, serving as a liaison for all unions and managing small 
business inquiries. He was a well-known presence in the community, 
representing the Congressman at community events.
  Paul was generous with his time and active in South Wilkes-Barre 
throughout his life. He volunteered at organizations like the St. 
Vincent de Paul Kitchen and the Wilkes-Barre Catholic Youth Center and 
served on councils and authorities such as the Wyoming Valley Sanitary 
Authority and the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority. He was a member of 
many community and social clubs, including the Wilkes-Barre and Hanover 
Township American Legions, the Sons of St. Patrick, and the Donegal 
Society. Following his interest in politics, he served as Democratic 
State committeeman for four decades. Paul organized and coached 
football for youth and high school teams, and he was inducted into the 
Wyoming Valley Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998 as a boxing judge.
  Paul was married to his wife, Judith Delong, for 18 years, and he 
took great joy connecting with his extended family. Paul dedicated his 
time and energy to the betterment of his community and his county, and 
I am humbled to honor the life of this true public servant.

                          ____________________