[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATING NEIL F. OBERTO ON BEING NAMED ``OUTSTANDING ITALIAN 
                               AMERICAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 14, 2003

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Neil Oberto for 
being named the ``Outstanding Italian American'' by the Hazleton Sons 
of Italy. It is an honor to join the members of this organization in 
paying tribute to his numerous achievements as he is honored at the 
Columbus Day Ceremony on Sunday, October 12th.
  Neil Oberto is the third of four sons born to Anthony and Immaculata 
(Lombardi) Oberto. He was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, 
and has lived there for most of his life. Neil exhibited leadership 
qualities early on in his life. He is a 1978 graduate of Hazleton High 
School where he served as the senior class president. He also attended 
Luzerne County Community College obtaining an Associate Degree in 1980 
in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and was employed at several 
restaurants and hotels throughout the area.
  In 1982, Neil took a new direction in his life when he attended 
Borromeo College of Ohio, a seminary college outside of Cleveland to 
pursue his bachelor's degree and discern the option of joining the 
Capuchin Franciscans. He obtained a Bachelor's degree two years later 
in Social and Behavioral Science. In his senior year of college he was 
accepted as a postulant with the Capuchins. From 1984-1985, he spent a 
novitiate year with the Capuchins at their novitiate house outside of 
Pittsburgh.
  He returned to Hazleton in August of 1985. Neil pursued a Master's 
Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Scranton and 
achieved that goal in 1991. He is a Nationally Board Certified 
Counselor and Licensed as a Professional Counselor.
  Mr. Speaker, Neil Oberto has been working and volunteering in the 
social service field for the past 24 years. He began working with 
mentally challenged adults and children in recreational programs. While 
in Cleveland he did various apostolic and volunteer work with inner 
city youth, pastoral care in hospitals, and an inner city nursing 
facility for the economically underprivileged, along with other inner 
city service. In Pittsburgh, apostolic work was at a soup kitchen in 
the ``Hill District'' and hospital pastoral work. Upon his return to 
Hazleton he was employed at the Keystone Job Corp Center as a 
Residential Advisor, Luzerne County Children and Youth as a caseworker, 
and since 1989, Catholic Social Services of Greater Hazleton. He has 
been serving as Executive Director since 1995.
  Neil Oberto is very involved in his community. He is involved or has 
had past affiliation with the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Adoption 
Committee, Greater Hazleton Civic Partnership, United Way Child 
Advocacy Committee, Hazleton Area Housing Coalition, Co-Founder Habitat 
for Humanity, Tri-Area Joint Recreation Authority, Cranberry Creek 
Gateway Committee, Keystone Job Corp Center Community Relations 
Committee, numerous regional and state commitments through work, and a 
lector, catechism teacher and member of the Holy Name Society at Our 
Lady of Grace Church in Hazleton.
  Neil has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the 
Greater Hazleton Jaycees and was presented with a Leadership Award from 
Project Women in Need by State Representative Katie True.
  He is married to the former Meralea Petruzzi and is the proud father 
of four daughters, Danielle, Gina, Sara and Kristina.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor to represent a man who is 
not only a leader in the Hazleton Community, but someone who has 
devoted his life to helping those who are less fortunate.

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