[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THANK YOU, RICHARD A. BRZEZINSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the quality of our lives is often measured 
by the people who we have the good fortune to know. For others, the 
quality of their lives is the direct result of the efforts by the 
people they are privileged to know. For virtually twenty-five years, 
the people of Bay City most definitely benefited from the concern and 
outstanding leadership of Richard A. Brzezinski. This unequalled 
gentleman passed away this summer, and will be honored at a special 
meeting of the Bay City Housing Commission on September 24.
  Richard Brzezinski was married to his wife, Pat, for forty-four 
years. Their two children Rick Brzezinski and Terri Jozwiak, and five 
grandchildren learned well from a man who was active in his community, 
active in his church, and committed this personal sense of justice and 
his personal obligation to help those in need.
  Dick worked at Dow Chemical for more than thirty years. He was 
actively involved in his union, the United Steelworkers of America, 
where he served as President of Local 12075 from 1982 to 1988. He 
worked extensively on programs for the placement of the disadvantaged 
and handicapped, helping many disadvantaged and handicapped individuals 
to find employment.
  He was elected to the Bay City Commission in 1973, until his election 
as President in 1977. He has been a member of the Bay County Democratic 
Executive Board for the past twenty years, and has been an individual 
who has honored me with his support. Since 1980, he served as a member 
of the Bay County Housing Commission which oversees federally assisted 
housing programs in Bay County. He was honored earlier this year with 
the Alvira Long Memorial Award for Commissioners of the North Central 
Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and 
Redevelopment Officials for his commitment to his agency and to the 
citizens of Bay City.
  Perhaps the highest tribute that can be paid to him is the 
appreciation of his friends. In support of the NAHRO award to Dick, his 
friend Richard Zmyslony wrote:``I count it a privilege to have him as a 
friend, and he has been a mentor to myself and many others in these 
areas.'' We should all be so fortunate as to have our friends think 
that well of us.
  Mr. Speaker, Richard Brzezinski will be missed by his family, his 
friends, and the people of Bay City. It is only fitting that as he is 
honored in a few short days, we all pause to say ``thank you'' to a man 
who did so much for so many, and continues to show all of us that there 
is always something more that we can do to make life better for those 
who need assistance during those days that challenge even the best of 
us.




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