[Page H9260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE CAREERS OF THREE CENTRE COUNTY PUBLIC SERVANTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, recently, I had the 
pleasure of traveling back to Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional 
District to celebrate the careers of three dedicated public servants in 
Centre County.
  Last month, Centre County Treasurer Richard Fornicola and Centre 
County Controller Chuck Witmer served their last day at the Centre 
County Courthouse and began their much-deserved retirements.
  Rich Fornicola began his term as Centre County treasurer in January 
2000 and has worked diligently over the past two decades overseeing 
every penny that was received and disbursed by Centre County, including 
hunting permits and fishing licenses, as well as overseeing bids for 
county contracts.
  Chuck Witmer has spent 15 years in public service in Centre County, 
having worked as the deputy controller for just under 4 years before 
being elected to serve as county controller. Over the years, Chuck has 
exhibited fantastic leadership that includes overseeing the county 
ledger, seeing the budget is adhered to, completing the county audit, 
and more.
  This week, Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Debra Immel will be 
serving her last day at the courthouse as well. Debra began her career 
in Centre County in 1976 as a department clerk and quickly rose through 
the ranks of deputy prothonotary and acting prothonotary. In 1999, 
Debra was elected to her current position and has served in county 
government ever since.
  Mr. Speaker, together, these individuals have given more than 90 
years of service to Centre County, and they have worked hard to make 
Centre County a better place to live. I would like to congratulate Rich 
and Chuck and Debra on their retirements and wish them all the best in 
their new life chapter.

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