[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24135]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MR. JOSEPH M. FERRAINA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of Mr. Joseph M. Ferraina, a man of true character and 
compassion. Mr. Ferraina is being honored as ``Man of the Year'' by the 
Long Branch Elks in New Jersey for the many contributions he has made 
to his community. I can think of no one more deserving to receive this 
award.
  Mr. Ferraina's accomplishments are extensive. Through his ``can do'' 
attitude and determination he has overcome many obstacles in life. At 
age thirteen, Mr. Ferraina emigrated from Argentina to America. At the 
time, he did not know any English and found himself in third grade 
classes when he was the age of a ninth grader. Despite a lack of faith 
and encouragement from school counselors, Mr. Ferraina persevered, 
ultimately earning his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Jersey City State 
College and a Masters Degree from Monmouth University. He has also 
continued to do graduate work at both Seton Hall University and Rider 
College.
  Mr. Ferraina has had a long and brilliant career in education where 
it began as a Spanish teacher in the Long Branch Junior High School in 
1973. By 1978, he became Assistant Principle only to be become 
Principle of the Middle School four years later. In 1992 Mr. Ferraina 
was chosen as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools in 
1994. In 2000, he was given the honor of New Jersey Superintendent of 
the Year for his numerous innovative programs and practices.
  Mr. Ferraina is an active member in the Long Branch Rotary Club where 
he has served as president. He is on the Monmouth Medical Center Board 
of Trustees and the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors. In 
addition, Mr. Ferraina is member of The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, 
the first aid squad, the Board of Directors of the Greater Long Branch 
Chamber of Commerce, and the Long Branch Free Public Library Board of 
Trustees. This is just a sampling of Mr. Ferraina's community based 
affiliations, and indicative of his commitment to serving the 
community.
  Mr. Ferraina has been recognized on many occasions for his noble 
endeavors. In 1998 and 1999, he received a proclamation from New Jersey 
Governor Christine Todd Whitman for offering BEST PRACTICES, which are 
outstanding and innovative school programs. Active in a variety of 
civic and educational organizations, he was named Principal of the Year 
by the Monmouth County Elementary and Middle School Administrators 
Association in 1991. Among many other awards and honors, Mr. Ferraina 
has received a Resolution of Appreciation from the City of Long Branch, 
the Community Involvement Award from the Knights of Pythias, the 
Community Service Commendation from the Superior Court of New Jersey, 
and the Humanitarian Award from the NAACP of Long Branch.
  Mr. Speaker, it is apparent that Mr. Ferraina has and continues to be 
an asset to his community for his tireless devotion to educating our 
youth. Accordingly, I ask that my colleagues rise up and join me in 
honoring this most respectable man, Mr. Joseph M. Ferraina.

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