[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17264]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING JOSEPH SHAWINSKY

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the 
extraordinary life and service of Joseph Shawinsky, a teacher, a leader 
in our community, and personal hero of mine. Mr. Shawinsky was a true 
American patriot, a valued leader and teacher in the Stamford community 
who touched the lives of hundreds of students. Beloved for his 
enthusiasm and wit, his brilliant mind and big heart, Joseph Shawinsky 
will be missed deeply.
  I knew Joseph Shawinsky for many years and have long treasured the 
example he set in his career of devoted service. As his student at 
Burdick Junior High School, Mr. Shawinsky made history come alive for 
me and my classmates and instilled in me a deep love of our country's 
story. He also taught me about the importance of leadership, how much 
good leaders could influence human history for the better. Mr. 
Shawinsky was himself a touchstone of the greatest generation and his 
own great story will inspire me and others around the country for years 
to come.
  During the Second World War, Joe. Shawinsky served our country with 
courage and distinction as a Seabee in the 133rd Naval Construction 
Battalion. He was one of the first fighting Americans to go ashore 
during the 1945 assault on Iwo Jima, a battle in which some of the 
fiercest fighting in the Second World War took place a battle that 
revealed the uncommon courage of Joe Shawinsky and the Americans who 
served alongside him.
  For decades, Joseph Shawinsky illuminated the hearts and minds of his 
students, his colleagues, and everyone who knew him. We, his students, 
were blessed with the opportunity to have learned from Joseph 
Shawinsky, and I believe more broadly that our State and this nation 
are blessed to have people like him who truly enrich our schools, our 
children, and our future.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Shawinsky family.

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