[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                STEPHEN AND MARY PETRILLA: GET WELL SOON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 2006

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two very 
special people while offering my prayers and warmest wishes for their 
quick return to full health.
  Stephen and Mary Petrilla are 50 year residents of Hamilton 
Township--the largest municipality in my congressional district in 
central New Jersey. As teachers, parents and local residents, they live 
quiet but influential lives, earning the respect and devotion of their 
students, neighbors, and fellow parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul 
Parish in Trenton, New Jersey. Their family and friends are inspired by 
their faith, kindness and commitment to helping others.
  Mr. Stephen Petrilla is a veteran of the United States Army and was 
injured while serving his country in the line of duty. He is a member 
of the American Legion, the DAV and the Elks.
  For nearly 75 years, Mr. Petrilla dedicated his life to the field of 
education, helping children in either a teaching or administrative 
capacity. A former administrator for two training schools in New 
Jersey, his expertise and passion focused on special education, helping 
children with mental retardation and working to ensure that State and 
local governments did more to meet the needs of our precious children 
who face special challenges.
  Mr. Petrilla organized and directed shelter workshops for challenged 
children across the State and later worked as a special education 
teacher in Lawrence Township and at Sister Georgine's Learning Center 
in Trenton. His inspiring commitment to helping children has been 
recognized through various honors including being named a Fellow in the 
American Association of Mental Deficiency and being featured in various 
Who's Who publications including Who's Who in the East, 1979, and Who's 
Who in Child Development Professionals, 1976.
  Mrs. Mary Petrilla has been a constant source of love and support for 
her husband and her children, while also distinguishing herself in the 
teaching profession. After receiving her bachelor of arts degree at St. 
Joseph's, Mrs. Petrilla began working as a teacher eventually advancing 
her way to become one of the first female elementary school principals 
in the Pennsbury School District. She also taught adult education 
classes in Trenton while serving as a private tutor. For 20 years, Mrs. 
Petrilla served as a home instructor for Ewing Township Schools, 
helping children with illnesses who were physically or medically unable 
to go to school. She also served as a supplemental teacher for 
``English as a Second Language'' and Basic Skills Instructor until her 
retirement in 1994.
  Lots of children have benefited from the hard work, commitment, love 
and compassion the Petrillas each exuded on the job, in their careers 
in education. And it is important to note, that that same love, 
generosity, empathy, nurturing and mentoring was and remains a hallmark 
of the Petrilla home. They are the proud parents of five children and 
eight grandchildren and their family feels abundantly blessed. They 
have shared with me inspiring stories that truly capture their parent's 
extraordinary example of reaching out and helping others throughout 
their lives.
  We join with their family and friends in thanking the Petrillas for 
dedicating themselves to successfully helping our community, and we 
offer our continued prayers for their comfort and full recovery.

                          ____________________