[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22970]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING ECUMENICAL ENTERPRISES INC. ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
    PROVIDING SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, September 28, 2008

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Ecumenical 
Enterprises Inc., of Dallas, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, for 40 years 
of providing quality housing to those with low or moderate incomes and 
those who are elderly, handicapped or disabled.
  Recognizing the need for such housing in the late 1960s, a group of 
concerned religious and lay leaders headed by the late Rev. Dr. Jule 
Ayers and Monsignor Donald McAndrews began meeting to discuss ways and 
means to address this growing housing issue.
  That effort led to the formation of Ecumenical enterprises Inc. 
sponsored by four diverse but socially committed religious bodies 
including the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre; the Roman 
Catholic Diocese of Scranton, the Jewish Federation of Greater Wilkes-
Barre and the Metropolitan Lutheran Council of Wyoming Valley.
  Subsequently, this fledgling agency began experimenting with single 
family home development and later moved into larger, multi-family, 
apartment complexes in Wilkes-Barre City, Dallas Borough and Wyoming 
Borough. EEI at this time also began addressing the needs of the 
elderly, the disabled and the handicapped.
  As EEI moved into the 1980s, it realized there was a need for housing 
for those who could no longer live independently. After a tremendous 
effort, EEI began the construction of a skilled nursing facility in 
1983.
  In due course, EEI developed more housing facilities in West Pittston 
Borough, Kingston Township and Glen Lyon in Luzerne County and at 
Honesdale, in Wayne County.
  Throughout its history, Monsignor McAndrews has remained a remarkable 
counselor and a leader committed to improving the quality of life for 
others. In appreciation, Msgr. McAndrews is being presented with a 
``Founders'' award by EEI.
  EEI has also been blessed with the fine cooperation of Wachovia Bank, 
now under the leadership of Thomas F. Capone, Area Executive Officer. 
Wachovia is also being honored by EEI with its ``Partners in Caring'' 
award this year.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ecumenical 
Enterprises Inc. for the extraordinary leadership in community service 
it has provided for four decades during which it has touched the lives 
of thousands of people and endeared itself to multiple generations who 
lives have been comforted and enriched by its very existence.

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