Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Nicholas Balabkins of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Balabkins was born in 1926 in Latvia and immigrated to the United States after World War II where he received his master's and doctorate degrees in economics. For decades, Dr. Balabkins was a staple of the Lehigh University community, known for his ready smile and colorful bow ties and recognized by awards for his teaching excellence. He wrote a dozen books and published over 40 professional economics articles, earning worldwide recognition for his work. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dr. Balabkins received the highest civilian honor from his home country of Latvia: Order of the Three Stars. Dr. Balabkins will be remembered as an extraordinary professor, neighbor, colleague, and friend. We honor his lifelong dedication to shaping the lives of the students who were lucky enough to pass through his classroom. ____________________”