[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21097-21098]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CRAIG J. 
                     ROLISH AND THOMAS W. HABERKORN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK S. CRITZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2011

  Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize two individuals, Craig J. 
Rolish and Thomas W. Haberkorn, who have devoted themselves to ensuring 
prosperous futures for the military veterans of southwestern 
Pennsylvania. Back in 1993, Mr. Rolish and Mr. Haberkorn helped to 
establish Veterans' Community Initiatives (VCI), an organization 
dedicated to finding employment for the men and women who have returned 
home from serving our nation in uniform. Since then, VCI has served 
nearly 5,500 clients and made approximately 4,000 job placements. The 
willingness of these men to devote the last 18 years of their lives to 
serving the needs of veterans is a testament to their appreciation for 
causes greater than themselves.
  Mr. Rolish is currently the Vice President/Treasurer of VCI. Having 
served in the Air Force in Vietnam, Mr. Rolish was forced to personally 
confront the challenges a returning soldier must face in trying to 
reintegrate into society. While he could have easily devoted the years 
following his service to ensuring his own wellbeing, he instead chose 
to continue to work to improve the communities of southwestern 
Pennsylvania. Upon returning to Johnstown, Mr. Rolish put his financial 
expertise to good use, collaborating with Fannie Mae to help a number 
of individuals and small businesses rebuild after the devastating 
Johnstown flood of 1977. He also served as the CEO of the non-profit 
NORCAM, helping that organization to become one of the preeminent 
drivers of economic development in the region.
  For Mr. Rolish, public service is a passion He has served on a number 
of volnnteer boards-and commissions, including the Highland Sewer & 
Water Authority and the Johnstown Area Regional Industry, and has been 
an effective fundraiser for causes close to my own heart. He is 
personally responsible for accumulating over $100,000 for St. Jude's 
Hospital and over $180,000 in private donations for a memorial statue 
of my mentor in public service, the late Congressman John P. Murtha. In 
recognition of his beneficence and selflessness, Mr. Rolish was honored 
with the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award in 2002. This 
honor is given by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation to outstanding 
individuals who embody the spirit of giving.
  Thomas Haberkorn, VCI's Vice President/Secretary, has also devoted 
his life to serving the people, businesses and non-profits of 
southwestern Pennsylvania. Like Mr. Rolish, Mr. Haberkorn served his 
country in the Air Force in Vietnam and continued to serve the public 
welfare upon returning home. He has served as an East Hills Kiwanis 
Board member, as well as a member of Johnstown Professional Networking. 
He has also been active with a number of charities, including the 
Special Olympics and the Salvation Army.
  Mr. Haberkorn's true legacy is his commitment to veterans. He began 
providing support to those who have served us in combat long before 
helping to establish VCI. Mr. Haberkorn has been very active with 
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) for many years. He is the founder and 
current president of VVA Chapter 364, as well as the District Director 
of the VVA Pennsylvania State Council. In addition to working with VVA, 
Mr. Haberkorn has also done a great deal to support the local VFW, 
American Legion, and Conemaugh Valley Veterans. Like Mr. Rolish, he has 
been honored with the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award in 
recognition of his outstanding public service efforts over many years.

[[Page 21098]]

  Mr. Speaker, in all of the time I have spent engaging with local 
community leaders, I have rarely, if ever, encountered two men with 
stronger character than Craig J. Rolish and Thomas W. Haberkorn. Their 
fortitude and unwavering commitment to public service--and in 
particular to serving the needs of combat veterans--deserve our 
gratitude and appreciation. I am proud to represent them in Congress.

                          ____________________