[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO JACK PORRINO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack Porrino for his 
years of dedicated military service and for his commitment to serving 
the community.
  Jack was born in Italy and came to the United States when he was 8-
years-old. At age 18, he became a United States Citizen. Jack enlisted 
in the United States Air Force in 1969, and began what was to become a 
distinguished career in the service of this country. He served in the 
Air Force from September 1969 to May 1972. He then joined the Air 
National Guard, where he served until October 1989. After 20 years of 
service, Jack retired from the Armed Services with the rank of Master 
Sergeant.
  In 1993, Jack started working as a groundskeeper at the Southern 
Nevada Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Within a 
year, he was promoted to Superintendent of the Cemetery and maintains 
that position to this day. As Superintendent, Jack has had an 
overwhelming influence on the improvement of the Cemetery. He 
established an aggressive fundraising effort by instituting several 
programs to promote donations and recruit volunteers. As a result of 
the programs, countless individuals have donated time and funds that 
enabled the Cemetery to purchase trees, benches, pavers, floral vases 
and other items that have improved the aesthetic value and made it 
easier for individuals to pay their respects to the veterans who are 
interred at the Cemetery. During Jack's tenure as Superintendent, the 
Southern Nevada Veterans' Memorial Cemetery has undergone many 
expansions and has become the second busiest cemetery in the Nation. As 
part of the expansion and improvement efforts, Jack redesigned the 
monument section, converted several areas to water efficient desert 
landscaping, and assisted in the building of the Cemetery Chapel. As 
the final resting place for over 20,000 of our Nation's military 
heroes, the Southern Nevada Veterans' Memorial Cemetery has truly 
become a beautiful place to honor those veterans. This is due, in no 
small part, to Jack Porrino's dedication to making the Cemetery the 
best it can be.
  In addition to his dedication to the Veterans' Cemetery, Jack is 
committed to strong family values and community involvement. He and his 
wife Kathleen have been married for 36 years. Together, they have three 
children and one grandchild. Jack coaches Little League Sports and 
serves on the Board of Directors in his Home Owners Association. He 
also teaches Bible study classes at his church for children and adults 
and regularly speaks to Veterans' and civilian organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Jack Porrino. He has dedicated his 
life to serving his country and honoring America's Veterans. As a 
result of his leadership and advocacy, the Southern Nevada Veterans' 
Memorial Cemetery has become a place of dignity, honor and beauty.

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