[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING FRANK MATTEI, HONORED BY THE ITALIAN AMERICAN 
        ASSOCIATION OF LUZERNE COUNTY AS 2004 PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Frank 
Mattei as he is named Person of the Year by the Italian American 
Association of Luzerne County. It is an honor to join the members of 
this organization in paying tribute to his numerous achievements as he 
is honored at a dinner this Sunday.
  A member of the Italian American Association for 10 years, Frank is 
also active in Rotary Club. As a member of the Rotary Club, Frank spent 
a great deal of time with the Rotary Exchange Students Program. Many 
students from many nations were greeted with the hospitality and warmth 
of the Mattei home.
  Frank was born in Pergola, Italy, in 1932. He is the son of the late 
Marino and Celeste Mattei. He has been married to Anna Biscontini for 
46 years. Frank and Anna have two children, Maria and Frank Jr., and 
three grandchildren. Maria lives with her daughter, Violeta, in Plains. 
Frank Jr. and his wife Susan live in Malvern, PA, with their daughters 
Daniella and Julianna.
  Frank came to America in 1947. He settled in the Hilldale section of 
Plains and graduated from Plains Memorial High School in 1952.
  Frank served his country for 2 years in the U.S. Army, and 18 of the 
24 months were served in the United States forces in Austria, USFA. 
After that, he spent many years in the retail shoe business as the 
owner of Penn-Lee Footwear for 22 years.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor to represent a man who has 
served his country and who has been a leader in his community. I ask 
that my colleagues pay tribute to Frank Mattei as he receives this well 
deserved honor.

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