[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING CHARLES D. ``RUSTY'' FLACK, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart because 
Northeastern Pennsylvania has lost a truly great man.
  Earlier today, Charles D. ``Rusty'' Flack, Jr., passed away after a 
long and courageous battle with cancer. Rusty leaves behind his wife, 
Kathi Stine Flack; his eldest son and namesake, Chad; and twins Jamie 
and Alex. Rusty was only 56 years old.
  Rusty was a tremendous civic leader who tirelessly strived to ensure 
the organizations he treasured thrived. He directed a number of non-
profit organizations and took many leadership roles in the community. 
He served as chairman of the board of Wyoming Seminary Preparatory 
School and the Luzerne Foundation. Previously, he served as chairman of 
the board of trustees at Misericordia University and Wyoming Valley 
Health System.
  Rusty was driven to serve his community, and he found his true 
calling by following in his father's footsteps as a pioneer in the 
business world. When his father, Charles D. Flack, Sr., died in 1979, 
Rusty and his brother, Hal, took charge of Diamond Manufacturing Co., a 
fourth-generation family-owned business that has manufactured and sold 
perforated metal, plastic, and other materials in West Wyoming, 
Pennsylvania, since 1915. Rusty and Hal rescued the company from 
financial difficulties and subsequently built it into the largest 
supplier of perforated metal in North America. The company's products 
are seen in industrial, architectural, and design applications around 
the world. The Flack brothers sold the company just last year, but they 
remained connected to the company, and Rusty stayed on as chief 
executive officer.
  On a personal note, I've had the privilege of knowing Rusty for 
almost a decade. He was a kind and generous man who loved his family, 
his community, and his business. I truly admire all that he was able to 
accomplish in both his personal and his professional lives. I am 
honored to have had an opportunity to know Rusty, and I will treasure 
his loyal friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, Rusty Flack served Northeastern Pennsylvania with 
distinction. He leaves a remarkable legacy as a businessman, a civic 
leader, a patriot, and a family man.
  Mr. Speaker, today, I ask my colleagues to join me in marking the 
passing of Charles D. ``Rusty'' Flack, Jr.

                          ____________________