[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2103]]


                    RECOGNIZING JOSEPH J. TARANTINO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Joseph J. 
Tarantino, recipient of this year's Montgomery County Chamber of 
Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, for his numerous years 
of service to our community.
  Joseph J. Tarantino is the President of Continental Realty Company 
Incorporated, based in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. He oversees fifty 
employees and agents and all seven of Continental Realty's divisions, 
which include professional services in the areas of residential and 
commercial real estate, insurance, relocation, appraisals, new 
construction, property management and advertising & marketing.
  In addition to his official capacity at Continental Realty, Mr. 
Tarantino has served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Real Estate 
Commission, President of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery 
County Board of Realtors, and Federal District Coordinator of the 
National Association of Realtors. He has also maintained several 
community affiliations such as Chairman of the Borough of Bridgeport 
Revitalization Committee, President of the National Italian Political 
Action Committee, Chairman of the Central Montgomery County Chamber of 
Commerce, Director of the American Heart Association and Director of 
the Pathaway Schools
  Joseph Tarantino has been recognized on several occasions by his 
business peers as well as those in the community. He has been a 
recipient of the Realtors Active in Politics Award, the Central 
Montgomery County Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year Award and the 
Americans of Italian Heritage of Montgomery County Outstanding Citizen 
Award. All of the honors and awards he has received, as well as the 
positions of leadership Mr. Tarantino has held are a true testament to 
the hard work and dedication he has shown toward his profession and 
community. Joseph J. Tarantino is an exemplary citizen for which 
Montgomery County can be truly proud and I can not think of a more 
deserving individual to receive the Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding 
Citizen of the Year Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me today in recognizing and 
honoring Joseph J. Tarantino for all that he has done over the years to 
make Montgomery County, Pennsylvania a better place to live.

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