[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2307-E2308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ERWIN J. KORCZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 
Captain Erwin J. Korczynski, a Chicago native whose contributions to 
our country should not be forgotten. Mr. Korczynski passed away in 
January of 2011, but his impact on the nation and those who knew him 
will last forever.
  Erwin Korczynski was a quintessential American. Born and raised with 
his twin brother in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Korczynski's youth was busy: 
he was an avid boy scout, marched with the Chicago Cavaliers Drum and 
Bugle Corps and was a competitive member of his high school's Track and 
Field team.
  After high school he pursued the priesthood, but in 1963, Erwin felt 
a need to serve his country directly, and enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps. He served with the Marine Attack Squadron, VMA 131. While 
in the Marine Corps, he had moved up the ranks and attained the rank of 
Sergeant before he was honorably discharged in 1969.

[[Page E2308]]

  After spending several years of his life in the Marines, Mr. 
Korczynski became a civilian airline pilot. He flew for a number of 
different airlines over the years, logging hundreds of hours aloft as 
he piloted aircraft between six different continents.
  In 1990, Captain Korczynski was drawn to again serve his country. He 
volunteered to serve with the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and was sent to 
the Persian Gulf. Mr. Korczynski subsequently commanded twenty-five 
Civil Reserve Air Fleet missions during Operation Desert Storm.
  Mr. Korczynski's selfless actions on behalf of this nation make him a 
true citizen soldier, following in the footsteps of our nation's 
minutemen. His bravery and self sacrifice have earned him not only my 
admiration, but the admiration of the American people.
  In his later years, Captain Korczynski's passion for flight did not 
wane. While he was unable to continue flying commercial aircraft after 
age sixty, Captain Korczynski remained able and active, training future 
pilots and instilling the knowledge and wisdom earned through his 
decades of pilot experience.
  Captain Erwin Korczynski lived an honorable life, and he contributed 
much to the common good. On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to 
express our thanks for his life of service.

                          ____________________