[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14909]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      JOSEPH ``RED'' JONES HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House of Representatives to the long history of service to the 
community by my good friend, Joseph ``Red'' Jones of Luzerne County, 
Pennsylvania. Red will be honored with a tribute on August 17, 2001, 
the 50th anniversary of his calling square dances, which he has done 
exclusively for charity for the past 20 years.
  Red first started calling square dances at the age of 13, and is 
considered to be among the best callers in eastern Pennsylvania. As 
befits his spirit of service, the event being held to honor him will 
raise money for several local charities supported by the Volunteers of 
America, including the Caring Alternatives Pantry, The Hartman Home and 
Dial-A-Driver.
  Red has used this talent to benefit countless community 
organizations, school groups and booster clubs, church organizations, 
volunteer fire companies, little leagues and youth clubs, Habitat for 
Humanity, Valley Santa and terminally ill individuals. He has donated 
numerous hours of his time so that these organizations and good causes 
could generate more revenue and build their capacity to serve others.
  In addition to helping countless community causes by calling square 
dances for them, Red has been a weekly volunteer for the past 17 years 
at Mercy Center, a Sisters of Mercy sponsored nursing home in Dallas, 
Pennsylvania, where he spends a great deal of time comforting and 
helping the residents.
  Red's charitable works are only part of his long history of service 
to the community. He has served the nation as a Marine in the late 
1950s and for most of the 1960s. He also served his neighbors for four 
years as a Luzerne County Commissioner and for 14 years as a member of 
the Lake-Lehman School Board. He served twice as president of the 
school board, and during his tenure the district showed tremendous 
improvement in academic performance and participation in athletic and 
extracurricular programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I can tell you from personal experience that he worked 
well as a county commissioner with citizens and community leaders from 
both parties. His nonpartisan approach to government was instrumental 
in improving flood protection throughout the Wyoming Valley, expanding 
Luzerne County Community College, paving the way for the Luzerne County 
Arena, creating a countywide 911 emergency response system and boosting 
key initiatives for economic development.
  Last but certainly not least, under Red's leadership as basketball 
coach at St. Vincent's High School in Pittston, the school was honored 
with four consecutive Wyoming Valley Basketball Officials Sportsmanship 
awards for sportsmanship, conduct and respect of the game, the 
officials and opposing teams.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives the long and distinguished service of Joseph ``Red'' 
Jones to his neighbors and the nation, and I wish him all the best.

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