[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 25221]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF PHILIP BONGIORNO

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Philip 
Bongiorno, a Pennsylvania native and church leader of the Assemblies of 
God whose life work has been to serve the people of his state, of his 
country, and of the world.
  Born in Erie, PA, on September 22, 1932, Reverend Bongiorno entered 
Eastern Bible Institute in Green Lane, PA, in 1951 and subsequently 
graduated in 1955. In 1952, Reverend Bongiorno married his wife of 51 
years and began his ministry as an Assemblies of God evangelist.
  Numerous Pennsylvania communities have been the beneficiaries of 
Reverend Bongiorno's dedicated service. From 1956 to 1978, he led 
congregations in Milesburg, Punxsutawney, Sarver, and Harrisburg. In 
1961, colleagues recognized his leadership by electing Reverend 
Bongiorno as Sectional Presbyter. He was elected to the Board of 
Directors of Teen Challenge in 1971, where he continues to serve, and 
again in 1976 to the Board of Trustees of Valley Forge Christian 
College, the successor college of his alma mater. It was there that he 
faithfully served until 2002. In addition, Reverend Bongiorno, as 
District Superintendent, was the denominational leader from 1978 to 
2002 for all English-speaking Assemblies of God congregations in 
Pennsylvania and Delaware.
  In his honor, the Penn-Del District of the Assemblies of God has 
named its Carlisle, PA--based conference center after him and in 
recognition of his 26 years of service and leadership, the Valley Forge 
Christian College has affixed his name to the first new student 
residence hall constructed on the campus grounds.
  Philip Bongiorno is honored today in the U.S. Senate because he has 
been faithful to his calling, he has served selflessly and widely, and 
he has led with distinction.

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