[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF ANDREW BARYLSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of conneticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrew Barylski 
Sr., who passed away on December 8, 2010. Barylski fought for his 
country and survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. I am honored to 
stand in tribute to him.
  Barylski Sr., a Putnam, Connecticut native, was born in 1916 and 
enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1938. He was stationed in an observation 
tower high on Oahu at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941 
when a surprise Japanese attack left 2,402 Americans dead and 1,202 
wounded.
  After the attack, Barlyski Sr. stayed in Hawaii and helped rebuild 
the island until he was honorably discharged in 1945. Barlyski often 
spoke of his experiences in the war, but always remained modest about 
his accomplishments. He was a lifelong member of the Putnam American 
Legion Post 13 and Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 1523.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the Barylski family. Andrew Barlyski 
Sr. served his country and led a remarkable life. I hope that is a 
small comfort for his son Andrew Barylski Jr., his daughters Linda 
March and Gloria Ghirarduzzi and six grandchildren and seven great 
grandchildren as they cope with the loss of their father and 
grandfather.
  True American heroes deserve recognition for their accomplishments. 
Andrew Barlyski witnessed a turning point in American history and 
helped rebuild a devastated island in the wake of the Pearl Harbor 
attack. I ask my colleagues to rise with me so that we may honor Andrew 
Barylski Sr. and celebrate the life of a true American hero.

                          ____________________