[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING DR. PETER PETTINATO, VMD, ON BEING NAMED THE UNICO NATIONAL 
                               PRESIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2022

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor Dr. Peter Pettinato, 
VMD, who will be named the UNICO National President at the group's 
annual convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1922, UNICO is 
the largest Italian American service organization in the United States.
  Peter was born in Carbondale Pennsylvania in 1962. He graduated from 
Carbondale Area Junior-Senior High School in 1980 as the valedictorian 
of his class. He continued his academic career at the Pennsylvania 
State University, University Park where he studied animal bioscience 
and chemistry. In May 1984, he graduated from Penn State with his 
Bachelor of Science degree and went on to attend graduate school at the 
University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with his Veterinariae 
Medicinae Doctoris in 1989.
  After receiving his VMD, he returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania and 
began working at the Carbondale Veterinary Hospital as a staff 
veterinarian. In July 1996, he joined Johnson Technical Institute as an 
instructor of veterinary technology and the staff veterinarian. Seeking 
to return to private practice, Peter opened his own clinic, French Hill 
Veterinary Clinic, in Greenfield Township in 1999, and he continues to 
own and operate the practice.
  In 1989, Peter joined the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO, and over the 
past three decades, he has dedicated himself to the organization and 
truly embodied the motto of service above self. He was elected the 
president of Carbondale UNICO in 1996, and he has served as the 
secretary since July 2000. He has served as the governor of 
Pennsylvania District II twice. Additionally, he spent eight years as 
the secretary for the eastern region. He was elected 2nd vice president 
in 2018, 1st vice president in 2019, and executive vice president in 
2021. He has also been both a trustee and secretary of the UNICO 
foundation.
  Peter has dedicated his life to the service of others and is actively 
involved in his community in addition to his work with UNICO. He is a 
past president of the Northeastern PA Veterinary Medical Association 
and past president of the Board of Trustees of the Carbondale Public 
Library. He also participates in bringing theatrical productions to 
life in the region. He has served as president of both the Area 
Community Theater and the Coal Company Theater. He is the founder and 
president of the Royal Mutineers: A Fairly Talented Theater Company, 
and he is a member of the Ritz Company Players.
  I am honored to congratulate Peter as he takes on this leadership 
role with UNICO National. May he have a successful and fulfilling 
tenure as president during which I know he will lead with intention and 
integrity.

                          ____________________