[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20024-20025]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CAPTAIN ERWIN J. KORCZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, on January 5th, Captain Erwin J. Korzynski 
passed away from prostate cancer. Today we honor Erwin as he was a 
great patriot and lead a selfless life.
  Captain Erwin J. Korczynski was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 
30, 1942. He was the product of first generation Polish American 
parents. His mother and father owned the Elm Hotel Restaurant in 
Chicago's Wicker Park Neighborhood from 1937 to 1947. His father also 
served as the Chief Chef on the Ann Rutledge train car operated by the 
Alton Railroad. Here he had the distinct honor of preparing meals for 
President Harry S. Truman aboard the Armed Forces Troop Trains. From 
1947 to 1958 his parents became the owners of Helen's Food Shop, in the 
Gragin neighborhood of Chicago.
  Captain Erwin J. Korczynski learned the value of public service while 
in Boy Scout Troop 153, eventually earning membership in Order of the 
Arrow by the Boy Scouting elite. He graduated from Chicago's Henry D. 
Lloyd Elementary School as a member of the class of 1956, and graduated 
from Chicago's Lane Technical High School in the class of 1960. During 
his time at Lane Tech he ``lettered'' on six separate occasions, as 
well as winning many state championships during his four-year athletic 
endeavors.
  Captain Erwin J. Korczynski marched in the Chicago Cavaliers Drum & 
Bugle Corps from 1956 to 1963 and served as a lifeguard at the 
Knollwood Country Club before Northern Illinois University. He was 
selected as Lifeguard of the Year for saving the life of a young 
swimmer. He later enrolled in the Priesthood at St. Ambrose Seminary in 
Davenport, Iowa, followed by his novitiate for the Christian Brothers 
at St. Mary's College in Winnona, Minnesota.
  In 1963, one year prior to graduation, he wanted to demonstrate his 
selfless commitment to serve our country during the Vietnam War, so he 
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was attached to Marine 
Attach Squadron, VMA 131. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was 
honorably discharged from active duty on December 1st, 1969.
  Erwin then went on to receive Eastern Airlines Flight Academy 
training in Miami, Florida, obtaining the rank of Captain and was 
awarded a Type Rating in a Boeing 727 series 100-200-225. As Captain, 
Erwin flew for Eastern Airlines, Evergreen Airline of McMinnville, 
Oregon, Emirates Airlines of Dubai, UAE, Saudia Airlines of Jeddah, 
Saudi Arabia, Air Lanka of Colombo, Sri Lanka, USAfrica of Cape Town, 
South Africa, and Eva Airlines of Taipei, Taiwan.
  From 1990 to 1991, Captain Erwin J. Korczynski acted as Pilot-in-
Command, flying twenty-five missions during Operation Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm. Captain Erwin J. Korczynski must be saluted for his 
bravery, courage and aeronautical abilities. He volunteered to fly in 
the Persian Gulf, and so did with the highest level of distinction. For 
the second time in his life, he demonstrated his selfless commitment 
and patriotism to serve our country.
  Mr. Speaker, Captain Erwin J. Korczynski is the shining example of 
the citizen-soldier. He supported our military actions while 
maintaining his civilian obligations and participated in the Civil 
Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Operation during Operation Desert Storm. 
Although an honorably discharged United States Marine, Captain Erwin J. 
Korczynski was not an activated reservist during this conflict and 
instead served as a volunteer.
  His loving brother, Major Edwin J. ``Ski'' Korczynski, USAF/CAP, and 
Precinct Captain to Alderman Richard F. Mell, Chicago's 33rd Ward, 
summed up his identical twin brother's call to duty in a letter he sent 
to President Bush, stating that ``from the first day of conflict, his 
brother cast his vote for our American traditions through his 
dedication and deeds, not merely a slip of paper.'' Through his 
actions, Captain Erwin J. Korczynski exemplified the ideals of the 
Colonial Army's soldiers who answered our fledgling Nation's call.
  Captain Erwin J. Korczynski's dedication to service and patriotism 
kept him from retirement. Instead, equipped with his thirty-five plus 
years of aviation experience, he shared his knowledge and skills with 
young, soon-to-be airline pilots. Captain Erwin J. Korczynski sought 
out and obtained his certification as a

[[Page 20025]]

commercial airline Check Airman and Flight Instructor.
  His remaining years, from age sixty thereafter, were spent as Airline 
Check Airman and Flight Instructor at the Gulfstream Flight Academy for 
Gulfstream Airlines based in Miami, Florida. Gulfstream Captain Erwin 
J. Korczynski trained hundreds of career starting airline pilots who 
admired and respected him for his zero tolerance flight and pilot 
standards. Theses new pilots coined the stories of his Marine Corps 
days, his Eastern Airline era, his six airline career and his world 
circles, as ``Erwinisms''
  Mr. Speaker, our nation will forever be indebted to Captain Erwin J. 
Korczynski's patriotism and unfailing bravery. He was a loved son, 
brother, soldier, and instructor who's dedication to serving our 
country will inspire generations to come. He is survived by his 
identical twin brother Edwin, wife Henrietta, daughters Elizabeth and 
Lieutenant/Navy JAG Kriesten, sons Ryan and Christian, granddaughter 
Emmalyn, daughter to Ryan and Diana, and all his friends.

                          ____________________