[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MR. RON MARCHETTI AS THE 2016 UNICO HAZLETON CHAPTER'S 
         COLUMBUS DAY OUTSTANDING ITALIAN-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. Ron Marchetti, 
who has been selected as the 2016 UNICO Hazleton Chapter's Columbus Day 
Outstanding Italian-American of the Year. UNICO, which is Italian for 
``one of a kind,'' perfectly describes all that Ron does, and I am 
grateful for his contributions to my constituents, my hometown, and our 
community.
  Founded in 1922, UNICO National is the largest Italian-American 
service organization in the nation, with the mission of engaging in 
charitable works, supporting higher education, and performing patriotic 
deeds. UNICO Hazleton was formed in 1950 as the first chapter in 
Pennsylvania, and continues to advance the principle of service to 
community, over service to oneself.
  Ron graduated from Hazleton High School in 1957, and like so many 
proud Italian-Americans, joined the family business as a fourth-
generation employee. R.L. Marchetti Plumbing still operates to this day 
and is run by his son, Randy. In 1961, Ron felt a duty to serve his 
country and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the height of the Cold War. 
After serving for two years, he returned to Hazleton to continue on in 
the family business. Ron serves as the president of the Hazleton 
Plumbers Association, a position he has held for the past 28 years, and 
also sits on the Hazleton Historical Society board.
  I've known Ron personally for many years and I can't think of anyone 
that's had a bigger impact on Hazleton sports throughout the years. Ron 
started his sports commentary career with two shows on local 
television, ``Trivia Treats'' and ``Short Shots,'' and to this day fans 
and former athletes still request copies of these segments. He then 
went on to be a sports editor for PANORAMA magazine for 25 years. Ron 
is the former president of the Hazleton Quarterbacks Club and has been 
actively involved with the Hazleton Area football program for over 25 
years. Many in the community still refer to Ron as the heart, soul, and 
voice of sports in the Hazleton area, and his induction into the 
Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Luzerne County Sports 
Hall of Fame in 2015, speak to his distinguished contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. Ron Marchetti for his 
exemplary service to the Italian-American community and the greater 
Hazleton Area. Ron and his wife, Chris, celebrated their 54th 
Anniversary this past April, and his four children, Lisa, Robin, Terri, 
and Randy, and seven grandchildren, can take pride in knowing that his 
contributions to the Hazleton Area will have a lasting impact for 
generations to come. I thank Ron for all that he has done for our 
community and wish him and his family the best in their future 
endeavors.

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