[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING CARMEN AMBROSINO, RECIPIENT OF THE 2009 LIFETIME 
  ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE ITALIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LUZERNE 
                                 COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. Kanjorski. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Carmen 
Ambrosino, Chief Executive Officer of the Wyoming Valley Alcohol and 
Drug Services, Inc., who has been selected by the Italian American 
Association of Luzerne County to receive its prestigious 2009 
``Lifetime Achievement Award.''
  A 1966 graduate of Exeter High School, Mr. Ambrosino received his 
bachelor's degree in English from King's College in 1970. He obtained a 
master's degree in Health Administration from Wilkes University in 
1986. He is currently a Certified Addictions Counselor of Diplomate 
(CAC) and Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) in the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard from 
1970 to 1976. He has been employed by the Wyoming Valley Alcohol and 
Drug Services, Inc., since June, 1973 and became Chief Executive 
Officer in 1974.
  During Mr. Ambrosino's career, he has had many accomplishments. 
Through his marketing, publishing and consulting firm, Rainbow 
Educational Productions, he has authored six nationally circulated 
publications for young people. He also produced a motivational video 
entitled, ``Unleash Your Human Dynamo.''
  In education, Mr. Ambrosino developed the ``Student Assisting 
Students,'' program at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 
which is designed to establish peer intervention and referral to assist 
impaired college level students. He also developed a course on chemical 
dependency for Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania which 
was adopted by national colleges and universities as a chemical 
dependency model program to be used in sociology departments.
  Mr. Ambrosino also developed a ``Drug free Community Festival'' in 
Wilkes-Barre that attracted 100,000 people annually for a celebration 
of drug-free living. He has also served as an international consultant 
for the Dominican Republic and he visited South Africa as a ``People to 
People'' delegate representing the United States on an educational 
mission regarding drug and alcohol issues. He is a charter member of 
the National Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates.
  Mr. Ambrosino has also received numerous civic and community awards 
and recognitions. He was selected as the Outstanding Young 
Pennsylvanian in 1979 by the statewide Jaycees for his contributions to 
the community. He was inducted into the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, 
Philadelphia, for contributions to community. He received the Ronald J. 
Russo Community Service Award for distinguished service in public 
service in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties; the Commitment to Youth Award 
from the Wilkes-Barre Catholic Youth Center; special awards from Wilkes 
University, Penn State Wilkes-Bane Campus and the Paul Harris 
Fellowship Award from the Wilkes-Barre Rotary.
  A son of Rose Ambrosino and the late Carmen Ambrosino, he is married 
to the former Bernice Szumski. The couple has one son, Carmen Jr. and 
two grandsons.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Ambrosino on this 
auspicious occasion. Mr. Ambrosino's work in the field of substance 
abuse has rescued countless people from the ravages of addiction and 
has illuminated the path to sobriety for countless others as well. And, 
for that, he has earned the respect and admiration of a grateful 
community.

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