[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 48 (Thursday, March 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF JOSEPH F. LONG, JR., RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER 
       PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2022

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Joseph F. Long, Jr. who 
will be awarded the Achievement Award by the Greater Pittston Friendly 
Sons of St. Patrick at their annual gathering on March 17, 2022.
  Joseph attended Bishop Hoban High School. and after graduating in 
1982, he continued his education at Kings College, earning a bachelor's 
degree in elementary education. He went on to receive two master's 
degrees from Wilkes-University, the first in 2004 in classroom 
technology and the second in 2006 in educational leadership.
  In 1997, Joseph began his teaching career as a middle school math and 
science teacher at St. Mary's Assumption School in Pittston, 
Pennsylvania. In 2001, he accepted a position teaching technology at 
Pittston Area Intermediate Center while also completing his educational 
leadership training. In 2006, Joseph transitioned from the classroom to 
administration, working for the Greater Nanticoke Area School District. 
While at Nanticoke, he was: trained and certified in the Student 
Assistant Program (SAP) and completed the state mandated National 
Institute of School Leadership Courses. Joseph then took on the role of 
principal of Montgomery Avenue Intermediate Center for the Wyoming Area 
School District. In 2014, he received his Superintendent's Letter of 
Eligibility from Edinboro University, and today he serves as the 
superintendent of the Northwest Area School District in Shickshinny.
  Always invigorated by being around young people and helping them 
reach their full potential, Joseph was a successful youth sports coach. 
He began his coaching career in 1985 at Plains Junior High School for 
the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams. In 1990, he started coaching 
basketball at E.L. Meyers High School where he helped lead the varsity 
team to four Wyoming Valley Conference Championships, one PIAA District 
II second place finish, and four state tournament appearances. In 1997. 
Joseph accepted the head varsity coach position at Seton Catholic High 
School. During his ten years with the Eagles, his teams won over 130 
games, two Wyoming Valley Conference Championships, and one PIAA 
District Two Championship and had two PIAA District II second places 
finishes and four state tournament appearances. While at Seton, he was 
named Wyoming Valley Conference Coach of the Year twice. Joseph's 
coaching career came to an end after four years at Luzerne County 
Community College.
  In addition to his work as an educator and coach. Joseph is a 
dedicated volunteer in his community. He is an active member of the 
Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, serving as the 104th 
president of the organization in 2018. He has been the treasurer for 
the board of directors of the Greater Pittston Library and the Jenkins 
Township Little League. Since 2013, he has also been the assistant 
district administrator for the PA District 16/31 Little League Board in 
charge of the major league boy's baseball division. He is an active 
member of the Knights of Columbus as a member of the board, and in 
2013, he was awarded his Fourth Degree Knighthood.
  I am honored to join with the Greater Pittston friendly Sons of St. 
Patrick in recognizing Joseph for his tireless commitment to serving 
his community and uplifting young people through sport and education. 
May he continue to find fulfillment and purpose in this work. I wish 
him the best this St. Patrick's Day.

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