[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING JUSTIN BALFANY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember a 
young Nebraskan who left this world too soon. Justin Balfany, 15 years 
old, will be laid to rest tomorrow afternoon. My heart goes out to his 
parents Greg and Susan, his sister Kaci and the rest of his family, and 
I pray they find comfort in the coming days.
  Justin had a strong faith in God and in his fellow students. He has 
been described as a ``tremendous young man'' who competed in tennis, 
baseball, and basketball. He was active in his church and in other 
groups in his hometown of Kearney.
  Last year, he was invited to attend President Barack Obama's 
nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in 
Denver, where he served as a correspondent for his hometown newspaper, 
the Kearney Hub, as well as the Sidney Sun Telegraph.
  I was fortunate to have met Justin last year. I was impressed with 
his intelligence, his spirit, and his dedication.
  Justin's spirit and his enthusiasm with his church, his friends, and 
his community reminds us what it means to be a Nebraskan. He will be 
missed by many.

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