[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PAT T. DEON, SR.

  Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to speak out of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the achievements of Pat T. Deon, Sr., a constituent of mine 
who will be honored tomorrow at the 2006 annual scholarship luncheon at 
the Justinian Society of Philadelphia for his contributions to the 
business community in the Philadelphia region and the community of 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his family.
  Since 1935, the Justinian Society has searched, as the premier legal 
organization in the Philadelphia area, for Americans of Italian 
ancestry. Comprised of attorneys, judges, and law students, the society 
has directed itself to maintaining the honor of our legal system and 
the high ethical standards that distinguish its practice in our 
society. The Justinian Society accomplishes its mission by promoting 
continuing legal education programs, offering scholarships to Italian 
American law students and by promoting civic engagement by the legal 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, Pat Deon is a respected member of the Bucks County 
community. A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Pat has become a 
leader in his region, serving on numerous local and statewide boards 
and commissions. Since 1995, Pat Deon has been a volunteer member of 
the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation 
Authority and has been its chairman since 1999. Since being named 
chairman of SEPTA, Pat Deon has transformed this $3 billion public 
transportation asset from an organization wracked by inefficiency to a 
model of progress and competence.
  With SEPTA well in hand, Pat turned his attention to our highways in 
2002 when he was appointed to a 4-year term as a member of the 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
  Besides his public works, Pat Deon is also actively involved in 
community service. He is vice chairman of the Board of Directors of 
Temple Lower Bucks Hospital, a board member of the Bucks County 
Community College Foundation, and the Bucks County Enterprise Zone.
  In addition to these endeavors, both Pat and his wife, Carlene, are 
strong supporters of the Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, and 
Race for a Cure. His work with the Special Olympics alone has allowed a 
delegation of 116 athletes and coaches to attend the first-ever USA 
National Games in Iowa.
  For many this would be enough, but Pat has also excelled in business. 
Pat Deon has completed residential and commercial real estate projects 
in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and construction services in the 
northeast region. He is the owner of WBCB-AM Radio in Bucks County and 
a successful restaurateur through his ownership of the Temperance House 
Restaurant and Inn located in Newtown Township, Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better person deserving the honor of 
the Justinian Society than Pat Deon. His success is a clear example of 
the American dream and that it is indeed alive and well.
  In addition to serving as a model of success, Pat Deon is also an 
example of modesty. He never searches for the spotlight and never 
creates fanfare or publicity for his good works. I am proud to 
represent him in the Congress and am proud to acknowledge him here 
today.

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