[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THOMAS A. PANKOK, FORMER NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYMAN

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
Thomas A. Pankok. Mr. Pankok has been a great public servant and an 
outstanding member of the community over the years.
  Mr. Pankok currently resides in Pennsville, New Jersey. He married 
Alma Land in 1958 with whom he has three children, Thomas Pankok Jr., 
Kathy and Timothy and seven grandchildren.
  Thomas Pankok is a graduate of Salem High School and a veteran of the 
United States Navy. He served four years during the Korean conflict. In 
1956, after his tour of duty, Thomas Pankok began a lengthy career with 
Bell Telephone Company, serving 30 years with the company.
  In 1981, Thomas Pankok was elected to the State Assembly. As a member 
of the Assembly, Mr. Pankok served two terms and authored many 
important pieces of legislation. After his first term in the Assembly, 
he was awarded with the ``Freshman Legislator of the Year'' award, 
presented by the State Association of Counties.
  In addition, to his work in the State Assembly, Thomas Pankok also 
served over 15 years as a Salem County Freeholder. The role of state 
and local government is vital to our democracy. For our federal system 
of government to succeed, we must have effective and committed leaders 
at the state and local level. The United States Congress needs and 
relies on partners like Thomas Pankok in local government and I salute 
him and thank him for his efforts.
  So, I join with Salem County and the entire State of New Jersey in 
recognizing Thomas A. Pankok, an outstanding public servant, citizen, 
veteran and father. His efforts upon the behalf of the people of Salem 
County have been vital to the community and are much 
appreciated.

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