[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 25, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H4127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING TWO PENNSYLVANIANS FOR THEIR SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a local 
World War II veteran in my district.
  At 108 years old, Al Klugiewicz of Erie, Pennsylvania, embodies the 
spirit of America. I had a chance to meet with Al last week during the 
district work period. He is truly an inspiration. In fact, he is also 
the 13th oldest living man in the United States.
  I sat and visited with him while he was in a hospital bed, and 
believe me, he is still sharp. He was talking to me about all the 
Presidents he served under.
  He said: You know what, Rep? I was a member of the cavalry.
  I said: That is interesting, Al. Why the cavalry?
  He said: Because I got tired of walking. I would rather ride a horse.
  He talked to me about his horse. He said the horse's name was 
Napoleon, and the horse was a great horse. In fact, he said he got to 
ride that horse when FDR had his second inauguration.
  You look at this man and see him lying there in a bed but remembering 
the names of Presidents from decades ago. His dedication to his country 
was evident. He talked about Normandy and what happened on those 
beaches in those days.
  Now, I had the honor of being there a couple of weeks ago when we 
commemorated the 80th anniversary of Normandy. I wish all Americans 
could have been there to see the number of people, the French people, 
who were just so over-the-top thankful and grateful for what our 
country did for them in World War II.
  I like to think that somehow those types of things raise in us a 
political awareness, a love for our country that is always the first 
responder to anything that goes wrong in the country.
  This man, Al Klugiewicz, 108 years old, spoke of America with great 
love and tenderness. He talked about his family. He talked about 
building a house, his own house. He built it himself.
  He talked about going to work for GE in Erie when he got back from 
the war for 43 cents an hour. He talked endlessly about the colleagues 
he had and about the times he had, but more than anything else, he 
talked about his gratitude for being an American. He talked about the 
love he has for this country, for this Nation, and for the people he 
served so well.
  Now, at 108 years old, Al is not planning on having many more 
birthdays. When I finally left him, I said: Listen, I want you to know, 
I will be praying for you.
  He said: You know what, Congressman, I want you to know I will be 
praying for you, and I will be praying for our country because she is 
in great need of prayer right now.
  That is a man who is 108 years old. His love of country, his service 
to country, his sacrifice to country, that is the type of person we 
want all of us to be.
  Mr. Speaker, on a more somber note, I also have a friend who passed 
away. His name is Tim Schell. We just talked about Al Klugiewicz being 
108. Tim passed away at the age of 72.
  Tim Schell was an incredible person. He gave his entire life to 
helping others.
  In 1983, he opened TMS Physical Therapy in Grove City, Pennsylvania, 
owning the operation and operating the practice. He later expanded the 
business to include clinics across our district.
  Tim served in leadership positions for the Pennsylvania Physical 
Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and on the 
Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy. He was a tireless 
political advocate for his profession, championing legislative changes 
that have shaped the physical therapy industry.

  In his personal life, Tim was dedicated to high school sports in 
Mercer County, where he served on the Mercer County Hall of Fame Board 
of Directors from 1996 to 2012.
  This man gave generously. He always told me, Mike, I don't want 
anybody giving me any credit for this. Please, anonymously, let's just 
look at it this way because that is what all of us should be doing. It 
is not that you have to be recognized. The fact is that you have to 
recognize those in need and try to do everything you can to help them.
  Today, I had the opportunity to celebrate two incredible people, one 
who has celebrated his 108th birthday and the other whose loss at 72 
years old we mourn.
  Is it not time for all Americans to take a step back and be thankful 
for everything we have been blessed with in our lives? It is incredible 
to me that this country has been blessed with so much for so long by so 
many.
  The best time I had last week was with Al Klugiewicz at 108 years old 
and talking about his horse Napoleon. He told me about a toast he gave 
to Napoleon, ``Hurray for Napoleon. Yay!'' This is a man 108 years old, 
lying in a bed talking to me. I hope that I am able to embody that 
spirit as I grow older.
  At the end of it all, though, we are truly blessed. We are truly 
honored to be able to take the time to honor these people.

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