[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           REV. VALENTINE PLEVYAK HONORED AS MAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 1994

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. 
Valentine Plevyak. On June 5, 1994, Father Plevyak will be honored as 
Man of the Year by the Lackawanna County Friends of Poland Society. 
This is the 49th year for this event, and it marks the 202d anniversary 
of Poland's Constitution.
  Father Plevyak was 1 of 11 children born to Joseph and Catherine 
Stoklosa Plevyak. Educated in Lackawanna County schools, young 
Valentine left the area to attend St. Bonaventure University in New 
York, which he graduated from in 1940. He stayed at St. Bonaventure to 
further his studies at the seminary there. He was ordained to the 
priesthood in 1944 by the Most Reverend Bishop Hafey of Scranton. 
Father Plevyak never forgot his days at St. Bonaventure and has been 
honored several times by the Alumni Association for his outstanding 
contributions to his alma mater. Father Plevyak has a long list of 
parishes that he faithfully served in his 50-year career. He is still a 
aboard member of the Mercy Health Care Center in Nanticoke.
  In addition to his professional attributes, many of Father Plevyak's 
friends have lauded his athletic ability as a baseball player, noting 
his performances on high school and semipro teams. In the 1950's he 
played on the Wyoming Valley League All-Stars against the Wilkes-Barre 
Barons. A natural and acclaimed athlete, Father was an outstanding 
bowler and golfer.
  I am pleased to join with the community in honoring this 
distinguished man for his 50 years of dedicated service to northeastern 
Pennsylvania. It is very appropriate that Father Plevyak be honored for 
his long-time devotion to his church and to the community it serves.

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