[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF EDWIN J. KORCZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, a decade ago, the people of the United 
States asked the brave men and women of our armed forces to take up an 
important cause in the Persian Gulf. Today, I rise to salute the 
achievements of a resident of my congressional district, Mr. Edwin J. 
``Ski'' Korczynski, and to commemorate his important contributions.
  Edwin was an America West Airline pilot when he served as a volunteer 
in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, completing numerous 
missions in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and Military Airlift Command 
operation, where civilian airliners were used for lift capability. As a 
pilot and flight engineer attached to the Military Airlift Command 
located at Scott Air Force Base, Korczynski helped transport military 
personnel and supplies vital to the Kuwaiti liberation effort. For his 
efforts, Pilot Korczynski was awarded the Civilian Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm medal for Outstanding Achievement as a Pilot/Flight 
Engineer flying CRAF/MAC missions. Although he is an honorably 
discharged United States Marine, Korczynski was not an activated 
reservist during this conflict, but was instead a volunteer committed 
to the cause.
  The five daughters of what is known as the ``Korczynski Krew''; 
Ediane M. Ayers, Kimberly A. Boersma, Elizabeth A. Haak, Bethany A. 
Korczynski, and Megan M. Korczynski, are understandably proud of their 
father, as he is of them. As they go about their daily lives in this 
great nation, they are thankful for the service of their father and his 
colleagues and comrades who have served in the uniform of this nation's 
armed services. It is particularly their father's willingness to 
volunteer which they know is so important to the fabric of our 
neighborhoods and is an example which is important whether in military 
service or community service.
  Though it has been a decade since those operations in the Persian 
Gulf, Edwin Korczynski continues to volunteer his time and energy, 
first as Squadron Commander, United States Air Force/Civil Air Patrol/
Lake in the Hills Composite Squadron/IL #482. He is also attached to 
the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps/Division 911 as Personnel Officer at 
Naval Training Command, Great Lakes, Scout Leader with the Berwyn Air 
Explorer Post #777, an Emergency Service Disaster Agency volunteer and 
American Red Cross Disaster Assist Team volunteer serving the citizens 
of the greater Chicago area. His wife, Diane, and his daughters have 
come to expect and appreciate this kind of commitment. These efforts 
are important not only in the organizations which benefit directly from 
his participation but in the example which is set for his friends, 
family and colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, even though the sands of the Persian Gulf have passed 
through the hourglass, it is important that we remember that time in 
our history. I am thankful for Ed Korczynski's participation in that 
important mission, and I appreciate his continued involvement in the 
betterment of our lives.

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