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REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY EUGENE
``GENE'' A. VITTONE II
______
HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 3, 2021
Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life of Washington County District Attorney (DA) Eugene ``Gene'' A. Vittone, II, who passed away on August 21st, 2021 at the age of 61.
A Washington County, Pennsylvania native, Gene Vittone grew up in Monongahela and graduated from Peters Township High School in 1977. He earned a degree in biological science, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in 1981. Gene later returned to Pitt to earn a master's degree in health administration and business administration.
Following graduation, Gene felt the call to help others and became a paramedic, later helping manage Ambulance and Chair EMS in Washington. Gene attended Duquesne University's law program, while still serving as a paramedic, and graduated in 1997. He maintained his paramedic certification for the rest of his life.
Gene started in the Washington County DA's office as an assistant DA in 1998. While there, he handled juvenile court and several trial lists and covered felony criminal trials. Gene also developed the Drug Treatment Court for the county.
In 2011, Gene was elected top prosecutor and began his term as the opioid crisis was unfolding in Pennsylvania and across the nation. As co-chair of the Opioid Overdose Coalition, he was adamant that law enforcement could not, ``arrest their way out of'' the opioid epidemic. Gene focused on treatment for users while aggressively pursuing dealers, oftentimes working across the aisle or with the federal government. He was instrumental in bringing lifesaving Narcan to Washington County and pioneered the establishment of prescription drop-
off boxes.
Gene was one of the first DAs in the area to introduce a full-time victim advocate to work alongside attorneys on domestic abuse cases. He was also committed to addressing elder abuse and served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Elder Law Task Force. His care for others fueled his incredible work ethic, and he continued to work throughout his battle with lung cancer. A testament to how much his peers respected him, Gene was elected president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association in July 2021.
Gene was a committed community member, father, and husband. He was an assistant Scout Leader for Troop 1419 in Bentleyville and coached baseball for the Bentworth Baseball Association. Gene sang with Washington Festival Chorale and his parish choir. He is survived by his wife, Jane Ann Vittone, and his two children, Michael and Laura.
Madam Speaker, even in his last days, Gene Vittone lived his life in service to others. He will always be remembered for the countless lives he saved in his fight against the ravages of the opioid crisis. I have no doubt that his incredible legacy will live on in Washington County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 153
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