The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO FRAN AND MARIE BONNER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1370-E1371 on June 26, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO FRAN AND MARIE BONNER
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HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI
of pennslyvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two very exceptional people I am proud to call my constituents as they reach a milestone that has become more and more rare in today's world. Fran and Marie Bonner recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Even more uncommon is their steadfast dedication to public service, giving back to their community and fellow citizens. I am honored to highlight the achievements of two people who have contributed so much to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Francis Peter Bonner and Marie Ann Clatch were engaged on Christmas day in 1961. They met in 1959 at The Madison Restaurant in Hazleton when Fran was registering Marie to vote. His first words to her were
``Are you registered to vote?'' When she said no he promptly registered her as a Democrat, and she has been both his girl and a Democrat ever since.
Marie, daughter of Fred Clatch and Jenny Corra was married to Francis, son of Miles Bonner and Mary Hannigan, on June 23, 1963 by Father Thomas Hannigan, at Our Lady of Grace Church in Hazleton. They have been Pennsylvania residents all of their married lives. First in Secane, then in Berwyn, then in Harrisburg and now in Hazleton. They have a daughter, Mary Patricia, who currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband Roy Eichler.
Marie and Fran have led remarkable lives in the arena of public service. Marie has been a homemaker all her life and very active in her daughter's school and after school programs. She has done a considerable amount of volunteer work for both the Harrisburg School system and St. Margaret Mary's Church. She remains a terrific role model for the many children she has encountered throughout her volunteering career.
Fran has been extremely active in local and state government, serving in a senior position in Governor Milton Schapp's Administration and later on the Unemployment Compensation Board during the Governor Robert Casey's Administration. He has been extremely active in the Hazleton Community serving as the Chairman of St. Joseph's Hospital Board, and as a Trustee for the Anthracite Health and Welfare Fund for 15 years. It is no surprise he was bestowed the honor of ``Hazletonian of the Year.''
Fran also served on the White House ad-hoc Anthracite committee in 1980 and was a Member of the Marketing Panel for the Governor's Coal Conference that same year. In 1977 he was a member of the United States Department of Energy Anthracite Task Force and throughout the 1970s he served on both the Governor's Energy Council and the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. He has been active in the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission and the Hazleton City Planning and Zoning board. He was also the Deputy State Chairman of the Democratic State Committee and the Assistant Director of the Urban Studies Program at the University of Villanova.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognized Fran for directing the recovery efforts of the Kocher mine disaster in 1976. He has testified on the advancement of anthracite coal before both the U.S. Congress and Pennsylvania Legislature.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to showcase the achievements of these two special residents of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District and ask my colleagues to join me both in celebrating their 40 years of marriage and in wishing them many more happy years together.
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