[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 26936-26937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING REV. LOUIS S. GARBACIK FOR BEING NAMED ``GUEST OF 
         HONOR'' BY THE GREATER HAZLETON AREA POLONAISE SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. 
Louis S. Garbacik,

[[Page 26937]]

pastor emeritus of St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church in Hazleton, 
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who will be the guest of honor at a 
celebration hosted by the Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society on 
Sunday, October 14, 2007.
  Father Garbacik is being honored for his dedication and support of 
Polish tradition, heritage, and culture during his 53 years in the 
priesthood.
  A son of Polish immigrants, Father Garbacik grew up in a loving home 
where his mother cared for the family while his father labored in the 
anthracite mines of northeastern Pennsylvania and also worked as a 
talented carpenter making and repairing violins.
  Throughout his years as a parish priest, Father Garbacik has 
endeavored to educate his parishioners in the customs and traditions of 
Poland.
  From numerous trips to the country of his ancestors, Father Garbacik 
has collected a variety of Polish artwork which he proudly displays in 
his church rectory and shares with all who express an interest.
  Father Garbacik was honored when he met with the late Pope John Paul 
II, himself a native of Poland and the only non-Italian to hold the 
position of Pope since the 1520s.
  Committed to teaching members of his parish about Polish spiritual 
traditions, Father Garbacik routinely shares with his flock information 
about Polish worship services rooted in his ancestral homeland.
  A humble man who enjoys the love and devotion of his parishioners, 
Father Garbacik demonstrates through his own life the true meaning of 
Christian love which leaves those whose lives he touches inspired and 
comforted.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Father Louis Garbacik 
and the Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society which has recognized 
the value of Father Garbacik's ministry.

                          ____________________