[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING HENRY JABLONSKI

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2015

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to commemorate the 
life of my colleague and friend Henry Jablonski of Christiansburg, 
Virginia, who passed away on April 26, 2015.
  Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Henry went on to attend the University 
of Delaware, where he studied physics. He went on to work for Hercules, 
Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah, Princeton, New Jersey, and Radford, 
Virginia. He married fellow Wilmington native Norma while in Salt Lake 
City. The pair were married for 53 years before Norma passed away in 
2012. In Princeton his son Neil was born, and his daughter Jennifer was 
born in Radford.
  Henry truly was a rocket scientist, having worked in Utah to 
demonstrate the reliability of the Minute Man and Polaris missile 
stages. In 1967, Henry moved to Southwest Virginia in order to assist 
in designing a Hercules automated manufacturing facility for 
propellants.
  After 36 years of service, Henry retired from Hercules Inc./Alliant 
Techsystems in 1995. Later, he returned to work at the Radford Army 
Ammunition Plant at Valentec Systems, Inc., where he provided 
engineering and management services for a manufacturing operation.
  Additionally, Henry was very involved in public service. He was 
elected to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors for four terms, 
and served from 1982-1997 as the county's District D representative. 
During that time, Henry was elected Chairman of the Board for three 
years and Vice Chairman for seven years.
  From 1982-1997, Henry also served on the Montgomery County Public 
Service Authority (as Chairman for two years and as Vice Chairman for 
two years) and the New River Valley Planning District Commission (again 
as Chairman for two years and Vice Chairman for two years).
  Additionally, Henry was active with the Montgomery County Regional 
Economic Development Commission (from 1988-1993), the New River Valley 
Development Corp. (from 1985-1997, Vice President and Board of 
Directors), the MBC (Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg) 
Development Corp. (from 1990-1997, Board of Directors), the Montgomery 
County Planning Commission (from 1994-1996), the Montgomery County/
Floyd County Regional Library--Main Branch Building Commission (from 
1986-1987), the Montgomery County School Site Selection Committee (from 
1996-1997), and the Riner Fire Station Building Committee (from 1984-
1985, Chairman).
  Henry served on the Boards of Directors of the Warm Hearth Village 
and the Montgomery Museum and Lewis Miller Regional Art Center. Henry 
was the chairman of and a writer for the museum's book project 
committee. This committee lead to the publication of the 772-page book 
Virginia's Montgomery County, which covers the history of the county.
  Further, Henry served in the United States Air Force Reserves from 
1958-1963, and graduated from the Aircraft and Engine Mechanics School 
at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.
  Henry is survived by son, Neil Jablonski and wife, Dianna, of 
Spotsylvania, Virginia; daughter, Jennifer Jablonski, of Columbia, 
South Carolina; and sisters, Pat Allen, of Kansas City, Missouri; 
Nannette Cannon and husband, Jim, of Wilmington, Delaware, and Mary 
Julia Stachecki and husband, Chester, of Dover, Delaware. Henry was 
predeceased by cherished wife, Norma.
  A man whose legacy and love for family, neighbors, and community will 
long be remembered, Henry will be greatly missed. I am honored to pay 
tribute to Henry's many contributions. My thoughts and prayers go out 
to his family and loved ones.

                          ____________________