[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 59 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF KATHY HEALEY ON HER INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY 
                          SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete, 
current coach, and northeastern Pennsylvania native Kathy Healey. Kathy 
was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 for 
her distinct athletic achievements in the sports of basketball and 
softball. She and her fellow inductees will be honored at a reception 
this spring.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the State of Pennsylvania through 
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
  Kathy had a standout athletic career at Seton Catholic High School in 
Pittston, Pennsylvania, playing basketball and soccer. She helped lead 
her teams to three league titles, three district titles, and state 
playoff games. After graduating from Seton Catholic, Kathy earned her 
bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Marywood 
University and her master's degree in educational development and 
strategies from Wilkes University. While an undergraduate at Marywood, 
she began coaching basketball at St. Mary's School. Under her 
direction, the team won four league titles and played in four Diocesan 
Championships.
  In 1982, Kathy returned to her alma mater Seton Catholic as assistant 
basketball coach where she helped coach the team during several 
undefeated seasons. After being named head coach in 1990, her team won 
two Wyoming Valley League titles and two district titles and went on to 
the State playoffs eleven out of 12 years. During the 1996-1997 season 
and the 1997-1998 season, the varsity team was 50-5. She coached her 
team all the way to the eastern semifinal game only to lose in double 
overtime. She has coached numerous 1000-point scorers, all-star team 
players, and one all-State player. Kathy also coached the softball 
team, turning a losing team into a league contender in 3 years. In 
their third year, the team finished the season with an 11-4 record. In 
1990, she was named Wyoming Valley Softball Coach of the Year.
  Kathy moved on to coach at Wyoming Area High School where her teams 
competed year-round. In 2009, she started coaching at Pittston Area 
High School, turning the team into league contender and one of the top 
teams in Division I of the Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC). The team 
made school history in 2015 by winning the District 2 Class 4A title. 
Her players included many 1000-point scorers, all-stars, and an all-
State player. She also coached many of the WVC's best players on Rock 
Solid, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) travel team which competed in 
the national championship. Kathy currently coaches the Hanover Area 
girls' softball team where she also teaches health and physical 
education.
  Kathy has been recognized for her contributions to the community and 
athletics. She was the recipient of the Thomas Brennan Award for her 
commitment to the Seton Catholic community, and she was voted Educator 
of the Year in 2018 by the Wyoming/Luzerne County System of Care and 
Best High School Athletic Coach by the Pittston Sunday Dispatch nine 
times. She most recently won the Attorney Joseph F. Saporito Lifetime 
of Service Award.
  It is an honor to recognize Kathy on her induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May her story and athletic career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving 
for excellence.

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