[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 88 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN CARDONI, MY VIRTUAL GUEST OF HONOR FOR PRESIDENT 
          BIDEN'S FIRST ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Cardoni, my 
virtual guest of honor to President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s first address 
to a Joint Session of Congress. John is one of the many heroes of this 
pandemic who I am proud to represent in the House of Representatives. 
When he fell on pandemic hard times, he refused to give up in the face 
of adversity.
  John lives in Dupont, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Agnes Cardoni, 
Ph.D. and their son, Christopher. He is the Facility Director for the 
esteemed Scranton Cultural Center, which was devastated by the economic 
downturn brought on by the pandemic as so many large event venues were. 
Although he was laid off early on amid the COVID-19 outbreak, John and 
his family were able to make ends meet with the help of direct economic 
impact payments and enhanced unemployment insurance made possible 
through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. These relief 
lifelines helped John and his wife keep up with their mortgage payments 
and meet out-of-pocket medical expenses.
  A diabetic and transplant recipient, John also understood that his 
medical history put him at higher risk for serious COVID-19 infection, 
and so he was careful to avoid close contact with others outside of his 
immediate household.
  Now, over a year later, and several weeks since the enactment of the 
American Rescue Plan, John and his family are fully vaccinated against 
COVID-19, and he has been able to gather with his mother and sisters 
safely in person once again. Additionally, he has been able to make 
plans to safely reopen the Scranton Cultural Center's doors and 
continue providing enriching experiences for Northeastern 
Pennsylvanians of all ages.
  Throughout this past year, President Biden has often warned the 
world, ``it has never, ever, been a good bet to bet against the 
American people.'' He is right, and Americans like John are the people 
he has in mind when he boasts this sentiment.
  Although I regret being unable to have John accompany me in the House 
chamber in person due to COVID-19 safety protocols in place at the 
time, I am humbled to uplift his comeback story. It is a shining 
example of American resilience and determination through the darkest of 
times.
  I recognize his story in honor of him, as well as all the 
Northeastern Pennsylvanians who suffered, sacrificed and persevered 
through this pandemic.

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