[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12618]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO THOMAS J. SEMANCHIK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MELISSA A. HART

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2005

  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the entire Semanchik Family on Thomas J. Semanchik 
achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Thomas is the fifth Semanchik family 
member to receive the prestigious honor, carrying on the tradition set 
by his father and three older brothers.
  John Semanchik III, Thomas's father, first received the rank of Eagle 
Scout on January 9th, 1969. He currently is ranked an Eagle Scout with 
three palms, has been the presiding Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #171 
for 10 years and received the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts of 
America's highest distinction. Thomas's oldest brother, John Semanchik 
IV is currently a 3 palm Eagle Scout, after receiving the rank on June 
2nd, 1998. Michael Semanchik, currently an Eagle Scout with 6 palms, 
received the rank June 8th, 1999 while Robert Semanchik became an Eagle 
Scout with 9 palms on December 3rd, 2002.
  The award ceremony will be held June 7th at Ingomar Methodist Church 
beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sadly, Janet M. Semanchik, the late wife of John 
and mother of the Semanchik boys will not be able to witness the rank 
being bestowed on her youngest son. Janet succumbed to cancer in 2003. 
However, her spirit still lives on in the lives and actions of the 
Semanchik men. I believe that it is safe to say Janet would be proud of 
all of her Eagle Scouts.
  I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring the Semanchik family. It is an honor to represent 
the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to 
salute the service of citizens like these men who personify civic pride 
and who truly make the communities that they live in better.

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