[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9408-9409]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING COMMUNITY CHAMPION J. GARY DeCOMO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE KELLY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize one 
of my constituents from Western Pennsylvania, Mr. J. Gary DeComo. Since 
1994, Gary has honorably served as Magisterial District Judge for the 
33rd District in Armstrong County. However, his dedication to the 
community goes far beyond the judicial system.
  Also in 1994, after seeing and sentencing countless drug offenders, 
Judge DeComo began his crusade against drug use and established the 
Drugs Kill Dreams program, in order to educate and distribute his drug 
prevention messages. The mission of the Drugs Kill Dreams program is to 
make our youth and community aware of the dangers and destruction of 
drug usage.
  Driven by the belief that if we increase prevention we will decrease 
addiction and crime, Judge DeComo strives to reach as many individuals 
as possible. Remarkably, the Drugs Kill Dreams program has become a 
collective effort throughout the entire community. This success can be 
attributed to Judge DeComo's dedication to creating partnerships that 
promote the Drugs Kill Dreams mission and contribute to its overall 
success. Drugs Kill Dreams has flourished due to collaborations with 
various schools, churches, treatment centers, law enforcement agencies 
and hospitals--including the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH), 
which has been the program's most significant and influential 
relationship.
  Throughout the years, Judge DeComo has adapted and updated the Drugs 
Kill Dreams program, to ensure the content is relevant and that the 
needs of the community are addressed. Although the program continues to 
be modified and altered appropriately, Judge DeComo's sincere passion 
for this initiative remains the same.
  In serving the judicial system, the community, and all of those in 
need, Judge DeComo is an absolute inspiration. His compassion and 
generosity has positively influenced the lives of so many, and will 
continue to do so for years to come. Therefore, on behalf of the Third 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I would like to express sincere 
gratitude and appreciation to the Honorable J. Gary DeComo, an 
admirable professional, a selfless individual, and a true Community 
Champion.

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