IN RECOGNITION OF KEVIN J. O'BRIEN, SR., RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS' MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 48
(Extensions of Remarks - March 12, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF KEVIN J. O'BRIEN, SR., RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER
PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS' MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin J.
O'Brien Sr. who will be named Man of the Year by the Greater Pittston
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He will be honored at the group's 106th
annual gathering on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Born and raised in Avoca, Pennsylvania, Kevin is the son of the late
Michael J. O'Brien, a former Friendly Sons President, and Mary Moore
O'Brien. He is a 1974 graduate of Pittston Area High School, and he
attended Luzerne County Community College, studying fire science
technology. Kevin is the proud father of his son, Kevin Jr., and
currently resides in Duryea, Pennsylvania.
Kevin was president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons in 1989,
the year that the organization celebrated its 75th anniversary. Under
his leadership, the Friendly Sons Scholarship was established, and
Kevin's family was an original donor to the program.
He began his career in public safety in 1978, working as a radio
operator/dispatcher for the Luzerne County Civil Defense. During his
27-year career, Kevin rose to the rank of deputy director of the
Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency. During those years, he
oversaw the planning, training, and response to all natural and manmade
disasters throughout Luzerne County. He concluded his 30 year-career
with the county as a lead crash and rescue firefighter at the Wilkes
Barre/Scranton International Airport.
Kevin has also dedicated his time to local fire service. He has been
a member of the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department for the past 45 years.
Kevin also became a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy instructor,
conducting fire training programs throughout the Commonwealth. In 2011,
he was awarded the title of instructor emeritus from the academy.
In addition to his volunteer fire service and full-time employment in
emergency management, he also worked part time at the Pocono Raceway,
starting in 1985 as a pit road fireman and eventually becoming fire
chief at the facility. Kevin served as a NASCAR Advanced Training
Program instructor and became a member of the NASCAR Safety Standards
and Training Committee. In 2013, the NASCAR Track Services Division
recognized Kevin for his dedication to the sport, and its safety, by
awarding him the NASCAR Excellence in Track Services Award.
It is an honor to join the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St.
Patrick as they recognize Kevin J. O'Brien Sr. as Man of the Year. He
has had a successful career in service to his community, and I wish him
all the best on this St. Patrick's Day.
____________________