[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1596-E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MR. PETE DLABAL OF ELLSWORTH, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2007

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today I rise to express my 
respect and high regard for a Kansan who is truly a member of ``the 
Greatest Generation''--Mr. Pete Dlabal of Ellsworth. The time has come 
to recognize this man who has served his community and country while 
remaining devoted to his family.
  Mr. Dlabal was born to a family that included nine brothers and 
sisters in one of the fine small towns I have the privilege of 
representing, Wilson, Kansas. Following his graduation from Wilson High 
School and the Wichita Business School, he joined the millions of other 
selfless young men of his generation and enlisted in the United States 
Army. After serving in the Army for four and a half years during World 
War II, he returned to Ellsworth County, Kansas.
  Upon returning home, his service to his community continued, serving 
as the county treasurer for two years. He then began his tenure at the 
Ellsworth County Farmers Co-operative Union in 1949. In this position 
he would remain for 31 years, including 24 years as General Manager. In 
honor of his dedication and leadership, Mr. Dlabal was one of only four 
individuals inducted into the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame this past 
March.

[[Page E1597]]

  It is no small task to manage a farmer's cooperative in Kansas. Long 
days and an unpredictable harvest can make the job a thankless one. 
Agriculture is the backbone of the Kansas economy. And Ellsworth County 
is squarely settled in the heart of farm country, bordered on all sides 
by the vast fields and pastures that make my state the breadbasket of 
America.
  While employed at the Ellsworth Co-operative, Mr. Dlabal also took 
time to serve his community by volunteering in several civic 
organizations. Throughout his career he was a part of the Ellsworth 
County Commission, Ellsworth School board, Ellsworth Library board, FFA 
Advisory board, and the Knights of Columbus. In his industry, he served 
on the boards of the Farmers Union Jobbing Association, the Co-
operative Marketing Association, the Farmers Marketing Company and the 
Kansas Farmers Service Association.
  Mr. Dlabal exemplifies what a community leader is all about. However, 
his most important role has been as husband to Lillian for 58 years and 
father to Joan, Deborah, Angie and Pam. Through his role as a father, 
grandfather, and great-grandfather, Mr. Dlabal provides an example by 
living his own life through a set of high personal standards. He would 
not settle for doing anything that bent any rules; anything other than 
honesty was completely unacceptable to him.
  Madam Speaker, this man has made Kansas a better place to live 
through his devotion as a community leader and family man. Mr. Pete 
Dlabal not only served in our military, but served the agriculture 
industry and farmers of central Kansas. Although he has made an 
immeasurable impact through his professional and personal life, he 
remains a humble individual. Today we take a moment to simply say 
``thank you'' and wish him well in a much-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________