[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING P.J. MELVIN, RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY 
              SONS OF ST. PATRICK'S 2021 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor P.J. Melvin, who 
will receive the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick's 2021 
Achievement Award at their Halfway to St. Patrick's Day event on 
Friday, September 24, 2021.
  P.J. was horn in Pittston, Pennsylvania. A lifetime resident of the 
area, he has lived in the family homestead since he was born. In 1964, 
P.J. graduated from Pittston High School, earning the title of 
Outstanding Senior Boy. He continued his education at King's College, 
graduating with degrees in sociology and English education. While at 
King's, he played on the football team and could be found on stage 
acting in Shakespearean plays.
  After graduating from King's, P.J. began his career as an educator at 
St. Cecilia's Junior High School in Exeter, Pennsylvania. He then 
joined the teaching staff at the Wyoming Area School District where he 
held several educational positions during his tenure.
  P.J. is actively involved in many community organizations and he has 
dedicated his time to serve in leadership roles. He is a former 
president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons. He is also a member of 
the Knights of Columbus John F. Kennedy Council No. 372 where he 
previously held the position of Grand Knight.
  P.J. is known for his love of Pittston, and his presence has been a 
mainstay in the community for generations. Always seeing the potential 
of his beloved hometown, he served his community and fellow citizens as 
a Pittston City councilman. He was instrumental in starting the 
Pittston Tomato Festival, an event that attracts thousands of visitors 
downtown annually, and he was part of the effort to bring the statue of 
President John F. Kennedy to Kennedy Boulevard in the city. In 2019, 
P.J. was unanimously chosen by the Parade Committee to serve as Grand 
Marshal for the Pittston St. Patrick's Day Parade.
  I am honored to join with the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. 
Patrick in recognizing P.J. as the recipient of the 2021 Achievement 
Award. I admire P.J's lifetime of dedication to the Greater Pittston 
area, and I wish him all the best.

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