IN RECOGNITION OF FRANK BALON, RECIPIENT OF THE FREELAND SONS OF ERIN 2019 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 48
(Extensions of Remarks - March 18, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E319-E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF FRANK BALON, RECIPIENT OF THE FREELAND SONS OF ERIN
2019 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Monday, March 18, 2019
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frank Balon,
who was named the Freeland Sons of Erin 2019 Citizen of the Year. He
was honored on Saturday, March 16, at the organization's annual St.
Patrick's Day event.
Frank is a graduate of Freeland High School and Pennsylvania State
University. He worked as a mechanical engineer at Tobyhanna Army Depot
before retiring after thirty years of service in 2013. During his
tenure at Tobyhanna, Frank received the Department of the Army
Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in both 1997 and 2002.
Frank brings something unique to Northeastern Pennsylvania that is
never in adequate supply: the joy of music. He plays trumpet in several
local ensembles including the Freeland St. Ann's Band, where he also
serves as band president, and the Hazleton Philharmonic Orchestra and
Big Band. Frank is also the leader of the popular brass quintet, the
Hot Tin Roof Brass Band. As part of his musical career, he has
performed the national anthem for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Triple-A baseball teams on many
occasions, and he has additional appearances scheduled for the upcoming
season. Frank's musical talents extend to singing as well. He is a
choir member and cantor at Immaculate Conception
[[Page E320]]
Church and an officer and founding member of the Freeland Community
Choir.
Frank is diversely active in his community. He is a contributing
writer for the monthly Progress Magazine, and he enjoys researching
family history and genealogy. Frank enjoys hiking and is an avid
outdoorsman. He also currently serves as the secretary for the Hazelton
Archery Club.
Stemming from his civilian employment with the United States Army at
Tobyhanna Army Depot, Frank is dedicated to honoring and serving our
veterans. He is part of the honor guard and a proud honorary member of
American Legion Post 473 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5010. His
community efforts were recognized by the Freeland American Legion Post
when they named him Citizen of the Year in 2017.
It is an honor to recognize an outstanding individual like Frank as
he accepts the Citizen of the Year Award. I am grateful for his many
talents and his willingness to serve the people of Northeastern
Pennsylvania, especially veterans. I wish him the best this St.
Patrick's Day.
____________________