Story in Reading Eagle by Joe Farrell
(Thanks Joe)
Blasts propel countian into
U.S. spotlight
The main thing says Jim Antosy of St.
Lawrence, is simply this, "I did it." Aug.7, in the Rose Garden of the White
House, Jim faced the assembled media and multitide, gave a brief speech and introduced
President Clinton, who in turn mentioned Jim five times in his remarks.
The occasion, at least originally scheduled, was the signing of the Work-Force
Investment Act of 1998.
But events - the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that very
morning-turned it into something more, as the president took the opportunity to make his
first public remarks decrying the violence.
So something that might have been relegated to the dustbin of history - namely,
C-SPAN - instead became backdrop for the newtork coverage of the tops news story of the
day, with Jim right there in the middle of it.
"When we came out of the Oval Office," Jim says, "the Marine Corps
band struck up 'Ruffles and Flourishes.' Then they announced us by name, with the
president first and me last, and played 'Hail to the Chief' as we walked out into the Rose
Garden. It gave me the shivers."
The day before had dawned with Jim having no clue.
He did know the Labor Department was interested in using his story as part of some
bill-signing, and earlier that week, had given his permission.
"Anything I could do to give back, I was willing to do," he says.
Jim, 52, is a computer programmer and anaylst with 12 years of Navy training and
experience and another 18 years in the private sector, but he realized a few years back
that in a fast-changing profession. he lacked any professional certification.
So on his own he started back to school at Reading Areaf Community College, earning
an associate's degree in 1994. That same year, the company he was working for went out of
busienss.
When Jim signed up for unemployment, he was given an opportunty to participate in a
pilot program called PENNCARD, which would give him his choice of training options, and he
decided to complete his degrtee in computer science at Alvernia.
PENNCARD, which has since been expanded statewide, helped pay his tuition and would
have provided a modest stipend after his six months of unemployment ran out, but by that
time, Jim already had started working again.
Jim completed his degree in a little more than a year, and has worked for three
years for a Lancaster firm as a consultant wiht the Pennsylvania Employee Benefit Trust
Fund in Harrisburg.
Key elements of PENNCARD were incorporated into the federal bill, which is why the
Labor Department came looking for someone like Jim.
"I was picked to be their poster boy for the diesplaced worker, but hey, if it
would help other people put out of work, I was willing to do whatever I could," Jim
says.
The day before the signing ceremony Jim got another call from the Labor
Deparartment-could he come down to Washington for the ceremony, and maybe introduce the
president?
Could he?
The next morning at the Labor Deprartment Jim was asked if he'd mind telling his
story before introducing the president.
"Even though I was nervous," Jim says, "how could I say not to
anything?" When would I ever be given another opportunity like this? Never."
With 45 minutes to work on his remarks, and with the help of a Labor Department
speech writer, Jim had a finished text.
In the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Jim noticed th dignitaries who also were
waiting to participate seemed to be just as one dge as he was.
"I thought if they're nervous and they do these public things all the time,
then I'm not doing so bad for my first time," he says.
Jim has heard his speech numerous times - its's availabe on the CNN Web site - and
overall, he's pleased.
Back in the Oval Office, the president offered his congratulations autographed
Jim's speech - "Thanks for being part of this day" - and gave Jim the pen, a
Parker with the Presdiential seal and autograph.
"To top if off," Jim says, "we ran tino Sam Donaldson on our way
out, and he shook my hand and said he really enjoyed my remarks. Sam Donaldson."
Jim hasn't yet come all the way back down to earth:
"How many people get a chance like this?," he says "To speak at the
White House and to introduce the president? Not many. But somehow, I did - I got the
opportunity, and I did it."
Joseph N. Farrell is an Eagle/Times columnist. To comment on this column or for suggestions, call Eagle Link at 376-0000, category code 3010 (Again Thanks to Joe Farrell)