[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF GREGORY SZURNICKI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to share 
with my colleagues in the House of Representatives the story of a man 
whose entire life has been committed to making the lives of others 
better.
  I speak of Gregory Szurnicki, who was honored on January 25, 1997 by 
the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce as the 1996 Man of the Year.
  The youngest of nine children, Gregory entered the Armed Forces 
shortly before his 20th birthday to fight in World War II. He, like 
many other courageous young soldiers, landed on Omaha Beach in 
Normandy, France on D-day, June 6, 1944. Five campaigns later, the war 
ended for him just outside of Berlin, Germany and 1 year later was 
discharged from military service.
  After the war, he settled in Suffolk County, and began working at the 
Kings Park State Hospital in charge of 85 patients during the evening 
shift. It was here that he began his efforts to improve the quality of 
life of the patients and the employees. He effected such changes as 
improved patient-staff ratio, upward mobility through career ladders, 
and a higher level of training opportunities. In 1975, Greg founded the 
Kings Park Employees Federal Credit Union and served as the union's 
president until 1996.
  Throughout his career, he formed many civic groups and became 
extremely active in local civic affairs. His involvement with the union 
as an advocate and organizer led him to many positions on the local, 
regional, and statewide levels where he could continue to work for the 
good of all.
  Since his retirement in 1988, Greg has continued to stay fully 
involved in civic affairs. He serves as the facilitator for the 
Northwest Civic Coalition and the Suffolk Community Alliance, whose 
membership includes all the major civic coalitions in Suffolk County.
  Greg is truly one of Kings Park's treasures and has been a driving 
force in ensuring that Kings Park is a better place to live in.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting Gregory Szurnicki who 
has provided a lifetime of service to his country and his community, 
and in congratulating him on being named the 1996 Man of the Year by 
the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce.

                          ____________________