[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 178 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING JOHN BASALYGA, ITALIAN AMERICAN MAN OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Basalyga 
who will be recognized as the Italian American Man of the Year by the 
Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County at their annual gathering 
on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
  John was raised in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. When he 
began his career in 2001, he knew he wanted to maintain the deep 
connection he felt to his home region by creating jobs and supporting 
the local economy. He founded Eastern Roofing Systems in Jessup, 
Pennsylvania, which began as a small local business and eventually grew 
into one of the largest commercial and industrial roofing contractors 
in the country, known for a commitment to quality and innovation.
  In 2006, John founded JBAS Realty and began turning industrial 
properties into housing, transforming spaces from the region's 
manufacturing past into modern accommodations. The Lofts at 300 Bowman 
in Dickson City, the Railroad Lofts in Moscow, the Warehouse Lofts in 
Scranton, and the North Valley Lofts in Olyphant are a testament to 
John's architectural and design vision and his commitment to providing 
housing in Lackawanna County. His company also takes on commercial 
properties. In 2015, John acquired the Mall at Steamtown, which he 
transformed into the Marketplace at Steamtown: a modern, mixed-use 
facility that attracts tourists and locals to downtown Scranton. Other 
properties that have benefitted from John's talent and expertise 
include Crunch Fitness; the Olde Brook Inn, a popular fine dining 
restaurant; Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, set to open 
later this year; and the Rock Creek Corporate Center and the Rock Creek 
Shops.
  John is always working on new and innovative ventures that improve 
the landscape of our community. He recently founded Serenity Care, LLC, 
which will own and operate five senior care centers in Lackawanna and 
Luzerne Counties. In his most ambitious move yet, he plans to demolish 
the Red Carpet Inn to construct the City of Scranton's tallest 
building, which will feature retail establishments, a restaurant, a 
hotel, office space, and residential units.
  His success in commercial roofing led John to expand his business to 
include independent service and residential departments in 2019. 
Eastern Residential Solutions won an Angie's List Super Service Award 
in 2020 and is integral to John's charitable work. The company recently 
provided a new roof for a local veteran through the Beacon of Hope 
Project in 2020, and in 2021, they donated the labor and materials to 
replace all the roofs at South Scranton Little League.
  I am honored to join with the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna 
County in recognizing John as the Italian American Man of the Year. 
John's hard work, dedication, and vision have transformed the City of 
Scranton, and I wish him all the best as he continues to help our 
beloved city reach new heights.

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