[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MR. JOHN BARANSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 12, 2011

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John Baranski for his 
performance as an athlete, coach, and mentor, and on his acceptance 
into the Plains Sports Hall of Fame in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
  John Baranski, who was better known as Jack, is a graduate of 
Coughlin High School. At Coughlin, he played tackle on both offense and 
defense for the Crusaders, and was part of their 1985 and 1986 Wyoming 
Valley Conference Championship teams. In 1987, Mr. Baranski was 
selected by the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader newspaper as a first-team 
All-Conference tackle. Because of his stellar performance in the 
Wyoming Valley West High School game, he was awarded the Outstanding 
Senior Athlete Award from the Coughlin Booster Club and the Red 
Pendergrass Award. Also as a senior, Mr. Baranski played in the UNICO 
All-Star Game.
  Mr. Baranski's playing career may be over, but his knowledge and 
skills are present in the student-athletes he has coached over the 
years. He coached at Coughlin from 1992 through 1999, and now he is the 
offensive coordinator for the Spartans of Wyoming Valley West. During 
his career as a coach, his teams have combined for seven District 2 
AAAA championships and five Wyoming Valley Conference championships. He 
has also served as president of the Ed/Stark Little League in 2009, and 
of the West Side Little League in 2010 and 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, John ``Jack'' Baranski, a product of Plains youth 
football and basketball, has certainly proven himself worthy of being 
called a ``Hall of Famer'' through his years of outstanding performance 
as a player and coach.

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