[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATION OF STEVE SAWALICH, 2023 OLD KING COAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE BOST

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 17, 2023

  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve Sawalich of West 
Frankfort, Illinois, in recognition of his being crowned Old King Coal 
for 2023.
  Started over 80 years ago, the Southern Illinois Old King Coal 
Festival celebrates the hard work of coal miners past and present, 
while highlighting the contributions the coal industry has made to our 
region.
  Steve Sawalich, a former president of the Old King Coal Festival and 
a lifelong resident of West Frankfort, has a long history of service to 
his community. Not long after graduating high school, Mr. Sawalich 
began working in the Old Ben 21 Coal Mine in 1973, where he worked for 
10 years.
  Mr. Sawalich led the effort to create the first memorial to honor the 
119 victims of the Orient No. 2 Mine Explosion of December 21, 1951. 
This new memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2020, in West Frankfort.
  Mr. Sawalich recently retired after 40 years as a trusted hearing 
healthcare professional to thousands of our citizens, but he continues 
his service through volunteer work at the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
  Mr. Sawalich is married to Camilla, and he has been blessed with two 
children, Brandon and Steven, and four grandchildren, Amelia, William, 
Jake, and Gianna.
  This achievement is a fitting tribute for a man who has meant so much 
to so many. In fact, it was in large part through Mr. Sawalich's 
efforts that the Old King Coal Festival was revived in 2002; and he's a 
big reason it thrives today.
  Please join me in recognizing Steve Sawalich, Old King Coal for 2023, 
and wish him continued success in strengthening his community for years 
to come.

                          ____________________