Recognizing Mark Jago's Service As the Pennsylvania State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus
Floor Speech
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Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm honored to congratulate Mark Jago on culminating his service as the Pennsylvania State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus on June 30, 2020, and for his years of service to the U.S. Army, the Parish of St. Patrick in Carlisle, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.
State Deputy (SD) Jago joined the Order as a member of Cardinal Gibbons Council 2838 in Fayetteville, NC, in 1983. In 1992, he moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania and transferred into St. Patrick Council 4057, where he became an active member.
In 1994, SD Jago was elected Grand Knight and, under his leadership, the Council achieved Star Council. He then served as a Trustee for three years, and as Financial Secretary for ten years. An active supporter of the Pro-Life cause, he established his Council's annual bus trip to the March for Life in 1993, and continues to serve as the trip's Bus Captain. Recently, he chaired the Council's Ultrasound Initiative Campaign, which provided a system for the Carlisle Area Family Life Center. SD Jago received the Star Council Membership and Star Council Insurance Awards for the 2015-2016 Fraternal Year.
SD Jago has held numerous fraternal offices within the Order, to include: District Deputy, Harrisburg; Diocesan Chapter President; Central East Regional Chairman; State Free Throw and Soccer Chairman; and State Family Director. In 2005, he was elected as a delegate to the Supreme Convention in Chicago. He served as State Secretary in the O'Connor Administration from 2006 to 2008. For the past 25 years, he's been a member of six CE State Convention Committees. In May 2018, he was Co-Chairman--and Registration Chair--of the 120th Annual State Convention, where he was elected State Deputy.
In 1993, SD Jago became a member of the Fourth Degree by joining the Bishop J. W. Shanahan Assembly 917 in Harrisburg. The following year, he was elected Faithful Navigator of that Assembly and became an active member of its Color Corps. Ten years later, he helped form the St. Martin of Tours Assembly 2708 in Carlisle, and served as the inaugural Faithful Navigator for three years. Following that, he served as its Color Corps Commander for four years. In addition to these positions, he served six years as the Harrisburg Diocesan Coordinator for the Fourth Degree. Currently, he is an Assistant Marshal for the Pennsylvania East District.
SD Jago enjoys ceremonial work, traveling to various parts of our jurisdiction, and meeting new members and his Brother Knights. He is certified on all four degree teams. He is Chancellor for the Admission and Formation Degrees, Conferring Officer for the Knighthood Degree, and Narrator for the Patriotic Degree.
For six and a half years, SD Jago served the Brother Knights and their families on an almost daily basis, as a Field Agent for the Mitchell Agency. He earned the designation of Fraternal Insurance Counselor. In addition to SD Jago's impressive service and contributions to the Knights of Columbus, he's also served in our military. SD Jago is a retired U.S. Army Officer, Master Paratrooper, and Canadian Jumpmaster. He served in a variety of Airborne and Special Operations assignments. He was awarded the Honduran Parachutist Badge during Operation Golden Pheasant in 1988. He prepared the intelligence plan for the invasion of Panama in December 1989. A Veteran of the Persian Gulf War, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. As Pentagon Crisis Action Team Chief, he was commended for coordinating military support to civilian authorities during the Oklahoma City Bombing and numerous natural disasters. His patriotism includes membership in the Central PA Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, the Corporal Orlando Newcomer VFW Post 477, and the Fr. Kritchen Post 1342 of the Catholic War Veterans of America.
SD Jago is an active member of St. Patrick's Parish. He taught Confirmation classes for the Religious Education Program, and served three years on the Parish Council. As Council president, he was involved in the planning and fund raising for the Parish Activity Center. As a member of the Foreign Mission Team, he performed volunteer work in Jamaica. SD Jago is involved with ``That Man Is You'' and ``Christ Renews His Parish.'' Frequently, he is a greeter at Mass, sells bottled water for the missions, and sells sub sandwiches for the Council. Finally, he is part of the kitchen crew for his Council's pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner fundraisers, as well as other ministries. His wife, Janis, volunteers at the St. Patrick School where she prepares school lunches.
Mark and Janis have been married for forty-seven years. They have three daughters and eight grandchildren, all of whom live in the Carlisle area. They enjoy camping and monthly dinners with their family.
Madam Speaker, I'm honored to congratulate SD Jago for his tireless work and distinguished service to the Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick's Parish, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.
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