[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF JACK SEBOLKA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of Mr. John ``Jack'' Andrew Sebolka, as he celebrates his 100th 
birthday.
  Jack was born on March 21, 1907, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and was one of 
four children born to John and Anne Sebolka. Inspired by his father, 
Jack went to work in the local coal mines upon his graduation from St. 
John's University. Realizing that mining was not his calling, he began 
helping his grandparents with their farm. Throughout the Roaring 
Twenties and Great Depression, he dove into a myriad of professions 
including construction, selling furniture, and the gold business. In 
1939, Jack became a sales representative for the United Furniture 
Manufactures, where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
  Jack married Marie Bombick on November 21, 1936, in Lake Silkworth, 
PA. The couple had two children, Ronald and James. The family made 
their home on a 15-acre farm in Jackson Township, PA, where Jack spent 
his ``leisure time'' growing vegetables on the farm. Tragically, Marie 
passed away from cancer in 1967, but Jack never left her side.
  In June 1972, Jack remarried to Mary Laux. After their wedding they 
took a honeymoon trip around the world. They stopped in Bangkok, 
Thailand, where they spent 5 weeks with his son, James, who was then an 
advisor to the Thai Government. Mary was struck by cancer in 1976. Once 
again, Jack helped nurse his wife through treatment, but she passed in 
1977.
  Jack pressed on with work at United until his diagnosis with 
Guillian-Barre Syndrome, GBS, which is found in approximately 1 out of 
every 100,000 persons. Jack was faced with immediate paralysis from the 
neck down, and remained hospitalized for several months. Through sheer 
determination and the loving support of his family, Jack beat the odds 
and began taking small steps after just 7 months of rehabilitation. 
Doctors called him ``Miracle Man.''
  Jack currently resides at the Goodwin House in Alexandria, VA. He 
enjoys weekly bingo and group crossword puzzle sessions with his 
friends. Jack has lived a life by the Golden Rule: Give unto others as 
you would have them give unto you. He demonstrates great faith, 
patriotism, a strong work ethic and a genuine love for other people.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my warmest wishes 
to Mr. Sebolka on this special occasion. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in celebrating his 100th birthday and in wishing him the very best on 
this day and every day that follows.

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