[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING MATTHEW KLEMCHALK

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I wish to honor the memory of 
an exemplary citizen of New Jersey who we lost too soon: Matthew E. 
Klemchalk of Allendale. Matthew passed away on April 10, 2014 at the 
age of 35. He was an outstanding member of his community, beloved by 
his family and friends, and a professional engineer whose work will be 
appreciated by generations of New Jersey residents as they drive over 
the roads and ride the rails that he designed and saw to completion.
  Matthew was a 1996 graduate of Northern Highlands High School, and a 
lifelong train enthusiast. He brought his passion for trains to his 
work as chief estimator of track at the Railroad Construction Company, 
where he worked for the past 14 years. Matthew worked on major 
infrastructure projects that New Jersey's citizens see and use every 
day, including the Secaucus Road separation project, the U.S. Route 46 
interchange improvements in Wayne, Route 46 over Overpeck Creek in 
Bergen County, and the Lackawanna Avenue improvement and bridge 
replacement in West Paterson.
  He taught concurrently as a professor at Stevens Institute of 
Technology in Hoboken, where he earned his bachelors and masters 
degrees. The institute has organized the Matt Klemchalk Scholarship in 
his name to honor his memory and help other prospective engineers 
follow in Matt's footsteps to meaningful community engagement and 
service.
  He is survived by his parents Matthew and Jane and his sister, 
Jennifer, and will be missed by many others whom he touched during his 
short life.
  The great State of New Jersey is better today for his dedication to 
detail and passion for engineering, and my condolences go to his family 
and loved ones. I would encourage more of America's youth to follow his 
example of living your dreams to the benefit of your community and your 
country.

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