The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING JOHN BASALYGA, ITALIAN AMERICAN MAN OF THE YEAR
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 8, 2021
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Basalyga who will be recognized as the Italian American Man of the Year by the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County at their annual gathering on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
John was raised in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. When he began his career in 2001, he knew he wanted to maintain the deep connection he felt to his home region by creating jobs and supporting the local economy. He founded Eastern Roofing Systems in Jessup, Pennsylvania, which began as a small local business and eventually grew into one of the largest commercial and industrial roofing contractors in the country, known for a commitment to quality and innovation.
In 2006, John founded JBAS Realty and began turning industrial properties into housing, transforming spaces from the region's manufacturing past into modern accommodations. The Lofts at 300 Bowman in Dickson City, the Railroad Lofts in Moscow, the Warehouse Lofts in Scranton, and the North Valley Lofts in Olyphant are a testament to John's architectural and design vision and his commitment to providing housing in Lackawanna County. His company also takes on commercial properties. In 2015, John acquired the Mall at Steamtown, which he transformed into the Marketplace at Steamtown: a modern, mixed-use facility that attracts tourists and locals to downtown Scranton. Other properties that have benefitted from John's talent and expertise include Crunch Fitness; the Olde Brook Inn, a popular fine dining restaurant; Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, set to open later this year; and the Rock Creek Corporate Center and the Rock Creek Shops.
John is always working on new and innovative ventures that improve the landscape of our community. He recently founded Serenity Care, LLC, which will own and operate five senior care centers in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. In his most ambitious move yet, he plans to demolish the Red Carpet Inn to construct the City of Scranton's tallest building, which will feature retail establishments, a restaurant, a hotel, office space, and residential units.
His success in commercial roofing led John to expand his business to include independent service and residential departments in 2019. Eastern Residential Solutions won an Angie's List Super Service Award in 2020 and is integral to John's charitable work. The company recently provided a new roof for a local veteran through the Beacon of Hope Project in 2020, and in 2021, they donated the labor and materials to replace all the roofs at South Scranton Little League.
I am honored to join with the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County in recognizing John as the Italian American Man of the Year. John's hard work, dedication, and vision have transformed the City of Scranton, and I wish him all the best as he continues to help our beloved city reach new heights.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 178
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