[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING FRANK W. ZARDECKI FOR HIS 62 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED 
                           STATES OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 11, 2022

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Frank W. 
Zardecki for his 62 years of service to our country. A veteran of the 
United States Air Force, he has served as the Deputy Commander of 
Tobyhanna Army Depot for 32 years, supporting the organization and the 
4,000 personnel who perform diversified logistics, administrative, and 
related support missions. On January 6, Frank was honored for his 
contributions and achievements in the role.
  Frank answered the call of duty and joined the United States Air 
Force in 1960 and served until 1964. On January 4, 1966, he began 
working as an electronic test equipment repairer at the Tobyhanna Army 
Depot. In 1972, he was promoted to his first supervisory role in the 
avionics branch, and, by 1976, he was named a general foreman.
  From 1982 to 1984, Frank served as the Depot's first Force 
Modernization Officer. He served as Chief of the Production Engineering 
Department, chosen for his experience, technical ability, and 
managerial skills. In 1985 and 1986, he was selected by DESCOM, the 
two-star headquarters command, for a special assignment as the Civilian 
Executive Assistant at the Sierra Army Depot in California, where he 
was responsible for directing the ammunition and special weapons 
missions performed at the instillation. When he returned, he was 
promoted as the Chief of the Shops Division in the Maintenance 
Directorate. In 1988 and 1989, he served as the Deputy Director of 
Maintenance.
  In December 1990, he received a temporary promotion to Acting Deputy 
Commander, and in June 1991, he was permanently installed in the role, 
beginning his three-decade tenure in the position, making him the 
longest-serving Deputy Commander in Tobyhanna Army Depot history. The 
Depot has thrived under Frank's direction, transitioning from a 
traditional repair depot to a state-of-the art logistics service center 
that provides comprehensive maintenance, repair engineering, and 
logistics services for the entire Department of Defense as well as 
thousands of jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the 
Army named Tobyhanna Army Depot the Center for Industrial and Technical 
Excellence for Communications, Electronics. Avionics, and Missile 
Guidance and Control Systems. The Department of Defense has also 
recognized the Depot with the Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance 
Excellence Award, and the Depot has been the recipient of seven Shingo 
Awards for manufacturing excellence.
  For his efforts and expertise, Frank has been called to serve on 
numerous Department of the Army and Department of Defense special 
studies on military logistics, and he is widely recognized as a leader 
in depot maintenance. Throughout his career, Frank has received many 
awards for his contributions to the field. He has received the 
Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award, two 
Department of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service 
Awards, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, four Superior Civilian 
Service Awards, the Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and other 
performance and special service awards.
  I am honored to join Tobyhanna Army Depot in recognizing Frank for 
his six decades of service to the nation as a veteran of the United 
States Air Force and dedicated public servant at the Tobyhanna Army 
Depot. Frank has been instrumental in the growth and success of the 
Depot, and we are grateful for his vision and dedication. I wish him 
the best in his retirement.

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