[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 16 (Thursday, January 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              PHIL ABALAN: AN EXEMPLARY CAREER IN EDUCATION

                                 ______


                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 26, 1995
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a noble man and a 
distinguished teacher, Mr. Phil Abalan of Duluth, MN, who died of a 
heart attack shortly before his classes were to begin on Friday, 
December 9.
  Mr. Abalan, 51, taught social studies for 27 years at Hopkins High 
School in Minnetonka, MN. His constant encouragement to his students to 
excel in their studies and their lives made Mr. Abalan a favorite among 
pupils and colleagues alike. He was instrumental in initiating the 
advanced-placement program in American and European history at the 
school, and pushed his students to their limits, often staying long 
after school was over to provide assistance and guidance. The results 
were tangible: his students consistently scored higher on their 
advanced-placement tests than did students in any other program in the 
country.
  An avid baseball fan, Mr. Abalan was an active umpire for both high 
school and amateur baseball and softball; he also served as president 
of the Northwest Umpires Association. One of his happiest moments came 
when the Minnesota Twins won the World Series in 1987.
  Family and friends, students and teachers, will miss Phil Abalan 
dearly. His commitment to educating the youth of his community was 
unending, his enjoyment of life complete. It is my sincere hope that 
some of his students will follow his sterling example, giving to the 
next generation what Phil Abalan gave so abundantly and 
enthusiastically to them.


                          ____________________