[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE GREATER HAZLETON AREA POLONAISE SOCIETY'S CELEBRATION OF 
   POLISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND THE REVEREND LOUIS S. GARBACIK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 
Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society and its annual celebration of 
Polish American Heritage Month.
  The Society will mark this year's Polish American Heritage Month with 
its 33rd annual Polish American Heritage Ball on October 17, 2010 in 
Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
  The Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society's mission is to preserve 
the culture and customs brought to Northeastern Pennsylvania by their 
ancestors over a century ago.
  Over the past 33 years, each October the Society has celebrated the 
history of their ancestors who traveled to the United States, and the 
lasting impacts they made throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and its 
mining industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  This year's event will also honor the late Reverend Louis S. 
Garbacik, who served as Chaplain of the Greater Hazleton Polonaise 
Society for over 23 years. He passed away on January 1, 2010.
  Reverend Garbacik was born in West Hazleton in 1928.
  He graduated from Hazle Township High School in 1946 before attending 
St. Mary's College in Michigan.
  Following graduation from St. Mary's College in 1950, Reverend 
Garbacik enrolled at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Michigan. He 
was officially ordained to the priesthood at St. Gabriel's Church in 
Hazleton in 1954.
  Over the past 50 years, Reverend Garbacik led congregations 
throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
  He first was assigned to Gate of Heaven Church in Dallas before being 
assigned to Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wilkes-Barre.
  In 1977, Reverend Garbacik was named pastor of Holy Child Parish in 
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and in 1983 he also became administrator of 
Ascension Church in Mocanaqua, Pennsylvania.
  From 1986 through his retirement in 2006, Reverend Garbacik was 
pastor of St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church in Hazleton. In 2006 he 
was appointed pastor emeritus.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Greater Hazleton Area 
Polonaise Society and its celebration of Polish American Heritage 
Month. For over 30 years, the Society has worked to preserve and 
promote the rich Polish American history in Northeastern Pennsylvania, 
and this year they will pay special tribute to one of the Society's 
most dedicated leaders.

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