[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING LEONARD VERRASTRO AS THE LACKAWANNA COUNTY COLUMBUS DAY 
               ASSOCIATION NAMES HIM 2006 MAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Leonard A. 
Verrastro, a prominent businessman and community leader in the borough 
of Dunmore, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Verrastro was selected by the Columbus Day Association of 
Lackawanna County as their 2006 ``Man of the Year,'' an honor he truly 
deserves.
  Born in 1923, Mr. Verrastro was one of eight children of the late 
Dominic Verrastro and the former Vita Grace Bochicchio. His father was 
a veteran of World War I and then worked in the anthracite coal mines 
before starting Leonard's Bar and Grill in Dunmore.
  Leonard was the oldest of six boys, five of whom served in World War 
II. Mr. Verrastro was educated in Dunmore public schools after which he 
attended the University of Scranton.
  Mr. Verrastro founded Best Dry Cleaners and later operated Leonard's 
Bar and Grill. He also founded the Dunmore Hoagie Shop and later went 
into the real estate business where he acquired many homes and 
converted them into remodeled apartments.
  He is the last surviving charter member of the Dunmore Lions Club. He 
is also a member of the Dunmore American Legion, Knights of Columbus, 
Saint Anthony's Holy Name Society, the Willow Club, the Dunmore Senior 
Citizens Center, the Lackawanna County Columbus Day Association and the 
San Cataldo Club.
  Mr. Verrastro is also well known for his political activity, having 
been first elected to the Dunmore Borough Council in 1963 where he has 
served for 44 years. He also served as Dunmore's representative on the 
Scranton Sewer Authority and as Lackawanna County Treasurer for two 
years. He continues to serve as deputy treasurer.
  Mr. Verrastro was married to the former Angelina Mecca, who died in 
1996, and the couple had three children: Vita Grace Masucci, Carmel Ann 
Biko and Dominic Verrastro. He has seven grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Verrastro on being 
selected as ``Man of the Year.'' His contributions to his community 
demonstrate his selflessness and commitment to improving the quality of 
life.

                          ____________________