[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2488-E2489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LATE FRANK FALKOWSKI FOR HIS VALIANT SERVICE TO THE UNITED 
                                 STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great 
American--a Western New Yorker whose service to this Nation brings 
honor to his family and to his countrymen alike. Mr. Speaker, today I 
rise to honor the memory of Frank Falkowski.
  Frank Falkowski was born on February 24, 1919 in Depew, New York. He 
was the eldest child in a family of 11 children. Forced to quit high 
school to help support his family when his father died unexpectedly, 
Frank entered the U.S. Army at the age of 22 on February 3, 1941. 
Stationed in Georgia, Los Angeles, Hawaii, the Philippines and New 
Guinea, Frank performed a number of important roles during his military 
service, including service as a Military Policeman and machine gunner. 
During his spare time in the Army, Frank played Basketball and Football 
on military teams, but, more importantly, he completed his GED studies. 
Frank served a total of 42 months overseas during World War II, and 
while stationed in the Philippines and the Pacific theater, he assisted 
with the evacuation of women and children to safe havens as the 
Japanese were advancing. After receiving a letter of appreciation and 
thanks for his efforts from the mayor of Luzon, Frank was discharged 
from the U.S. Army on June 22, 1945.
  After serving in the military, Frank met his wife, Marion. They were 
married in 1946 and raised 4 children, Marcia, Linda, Jerry and Janice. 
Frank worked as a welder for Contractor's Ornamental Steel and also 
worked part time as a security guard at the once famous Palace Theater 
in downtown Buffalo. After his retirement, Frank had the opportunity to 
enjoy his greatest pleasure--time with his friends, family and loved 
ones.
  Frank was an Army veteran of World War II. While much is not known 
about his military service, it is well known that his service on the 
field of battle was valiant indeed. As a result of his service, he 
earned the following awards:
  Bronze Star Medal; Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Service 
Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; 
Combat Infantryman Badge First Award; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 
1 bronze service star, and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.
  Unfortunately, Frank never lived to actually receive these awards. 
His daughter, Linda

[[Page E2489]]

Falkowski Stanek, contacted my congressional office some time ago to 
inquire as to the status of these awards, in that she, on her mother's 
behalf and with the assistance of her siblings, wished to create a 
legacy honoring her late father that could be passed down for 
generations to come.

  Through the hard work of the staff in our Buffalo District Office, 
and particularly the help of one of our Senior Field Representatives, 
William J. Greeley, we were able to verify Mr. Falkowski's entitlement 
to these awards and, on Thursday December 1, 2005, I had the supreme 
honor of presenting these medals, ribbons and other commendations to 
Mr. Falkowski's widow and members of his family.
  Mr. Speaker, while Frank Falkowski never received his due recognition 
during his life, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to 
help give him his deserved recognition today, albeit posthumously. 
Frank Falkowski was always proud to be an American and was proud of his 
service to his country, but according to his family, he never spoke 
much of his experiences in World War II, perhaps owing to the pain 
those memories brought forth. Frank Falkowski served this Nation 
proudly and honorably, and his life after the service, where he settled 
in Western New York, married, worked and raised a family, are a 
positive example to us all. Fifteen years ago, the Falkowski family 
prayed that Frank would rest in peace; today, we pray that he knows 
that his country has, at long last, paid him the full honor to which he 
so richly deserves.

                          ____________________