[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 153 (Friday, September 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY EUGENE 
                         ``GENE'' A. VITTONE II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 3, 2021

  Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life of 
Washington County District Attorney (DA) Eugene ``Gene'' A. Vittone, 
II, who passed away on August 21st, 2021 at the age of 61.
  A Washington County, Pennsylvania native, Gene Vittone grew up in 
Monongahela and graduated from Peters Township High School in 1977. He 
earned a degree in biological science, graduating from the University 
of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in 1981. Gene later returned to Pitt to earn a 
master's degree in health administration and business administration.
  Following graduation, Gene felt the call to help others and became a 
paramedic, later helping manage Ambulance and Chair EMS in Washington. 
Gene attended Duquesne University's law program, while still serving as 
a paramedic, and graduated in 1997. He maintained his paramedic 
certification for the rest of his life.
  Gene started in the Washington County DA's office as an assistant DA 
in 1998. While there, he handled juvenile court and several trial lists 
and covered felony criminal trials. Gene also developed the Drug 
Treatment Court for the county.
  In 2011, Gene was elected top prosecutor and began his term as the 
opioid crisis was unfolding in Pennsylvania and across the nation. As 
co-chair of the Opioid Overdose Coalition, he was adamant that law 
enforcement could not, ``arrest their way out of'' the opioid epidemic. 
Gene focused on treatment for users while aggressively pursuing 
dealers, oftentimes working across the aisle or with the federal 
government. He was instrumental in bringing lifesaving Narcan to 
Washington County and pioneered the establishment of prescription drop-
off boxes.
  Gene was one of the first DAs in the area to introduce a full-time 
victim advocate to work alongside attorneys on domestic abuse cases. He 
was also committed to addressing elder abuse and served on the 
Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Elder Law Task Force. His care for others 
fueled his incredible work ethic, and he continued to work throughout 
his battle with lung cancer. A testament to how much his peers 
respected him, Gene was elected president of the Pennsylvania District 
Attorneys Association in July 2021.
  Gene was a committed community member, father, and husband. He was an 
assistant Scout Leader for Troop 1419 in Bentleyville and coached 
baseball for the Bentworth Baseball Association. Gene sang with 
Washington Festival Chorale and his parish choir. He is survived by his 
wife, Jane Ann Vittone, and his two children, Michael and Laura.
  Madam Speaker, even in his last days, Gene Vittone lived his life in 
service to others. He will always be remembered for the countless lives 
he saved in his fight against the ravages of the opioid crisis. I have 
no doubt that his incredible legacy will live on in Washington County 
and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________