[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 50 (Friday, March 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E226-E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING JAMES T. ROONEY, RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY 
                           SONS SWINGLE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 17, 2023

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, today I honor James T. Rooney who has 
been awarded the W. Francis Swingle Award by the Greater Pittston 
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He will be recognized at the group's 
annual gathering on Friday, March 17, 2023.
  James is the son of the late James A. Rooney and Margaret Mary 
Hennigan Rooney and a lifelong resident of Pittston, Pennsylvania. He 
graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School with the Class of 
1976, and he continued his academic career at Luzerne County Community 
College, studying fire science. He also completed coursework at the 
Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
  James first followed his passion for firefighting by joining the 
Niagara Engine Co. No. 2 as a volunteer firefighter in July 1976. He 
rose through the ranks to be named secretary then captain of the 
company. In December 1980, he was hired as a part-time fire truck 
driver, then hired as a full-time fighter and apparatus operator in 
April 1985. In 1992, James

[[Page E227]]

was promoted to assistant fire chief, and by 2001, he was deputy fire 
chief. He retired in June 2020 as the fire chief, a position he held 
for 14 years.
  James proudly served his beloved hometown as a firefighter for 35 
years. During his tenure, he helped thousands of children, educators 
and older adults learn about fire prevention and safety. He has also 
taught CPR for the American Heart Association, and for the past 30 
years, he has served as treasurer of the Pittston Volunteer Firemen's 
Relief Association. For his efforts, he was acknowledged by the 
Pennsylvania Senate in 2006. Since his retirement, he has been working 
part-time for Adonizio Funeral Home.
  In addition to his service to Pittston as a firefighter, James is 
also an active member of many community organizations. He has served as 
an EMT with the Greater Pittston Ambulance, attaining the rank of 
captain. James is a past president and member of the Greater Pittston 
Friendly Sons and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 372 and 
the 4th Degree Assembly 948. He also belongs to the Pennsylvania Career 
Fire Chiefs Association, the NEPA Emerald Society and the Avoca Ancient 
Order of Hibernians. He has been on the boards of YMCA and the Pittston 
Little League and a coach for many youth sports teams.
  I am honored to join with the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons to 
recognize James for his impressive firefighting career and his lifelong 
service to his community. May he continue to find purpose and 
fulfillment in giving back to others. I wish him all the best this St. 
Patrick's Day.

                          ____________________