Celebration of Steve Sawalich, 2023 Old King Coal

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve Sawalich of West Frankfort, Illinois, in recognition of his being crowned Old King Coal for 2023.

Started over 80 years ago, the Southern Illinois Old King Coal Festival celebrates the hard work of coal miners past and present, while highlighting the contributions the coal industry has made to our region.

Steve Sawalich, a former president of the Old King Coal Festival and a lifelong resident of West Frankfort, has a long history of service to his community. Not long after graduating high school, Mr. Sawalich began working in the Old Ben 21 Coal Mine in 1973, where he worked for 10 years.

Mr. Sawalich led the effort to create the first memorial to honor the 119 victims of the Orient No. 2 Mine Explosion of December 21, 1951. This new memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2020, in West Frankfort.

Mr. Sawalich recently retired after 40 years as a trusted hearing healthcare professional to thousands of our citizens, but he continues his service through volunteer work at the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Mr. Sawalich is married to Camilla, and he has been blessed with two children, Brandon and Steven, and four grandchildren, Amelia, William, Jake, and Gianna.

This achievement is a fitting tribute for a man who has meant so much to so many. In fact, it was in large part through Mr. Sawalich's efforts that the Old King Coal Festival was revived in 2002; and he's a big reason it thrives today.

Please join me in recognizing Steve Sawalich, Old King Coal for 2023, and wish him continued success in strengthening his community for years to come.

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