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2022 SESSION

22107421D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 197
Offered March 7, 2022
Celebrating the life of Eugene L. Krizek.
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Patrons-- Ebbin, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Chase, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Edwards, Favola, Hackworth, Hanger, Hashmi, Howell, Kiggans, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McDougle, McPike, Morrissey, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Suetterlein, Surovell and Vogel; Delegates: Adams, D.M., Avoli, Bagby, Bennett-Parker, Bourne, Brewer, Bulova, Carr, Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Filler-Corn, Helmer, Hope, Jenkins, Kory, Krizek, Maldonado, McQuinn, Mundon King, Plum, Rasoul, Reid, Shin, Sickles, Simonds, Subramanyam, Sullivan, Ware, Watts and Willett
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WHEREAS, Eugene L. Krizek, a distinguished former federal employee who devoted his life to philanthropic and humanitarian causes and touched countless lives around the world through his leadership and generosity, died on October 5, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Eugene “Gene” Krizek grew up in Ohio and was the child of Czechoslovakian immigrants; after his father’s untimely death, he began helping to support his family and received a special dispensation for a driver’s license at the age of 14 so that he could better care for his mother and siblings; and

WHEREAS, Gene Krizek joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II; he subsequently served as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was a longtime member of the Air Force Reserve; and

WHEREAS, after his military service, Gene Krizek graduated from what is now Case Western Reserve University, then worked as a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill, where he met his wife, Adeline; and

WHEREAS, Gene Krizek also served as a state campaign manager for President John F. Kennedy and was subsequently appointed as the director of the White House Liaison office at the U.S. Department of State; and

WHEREAS, under President Lyndon B. Johnson, Gene Krizek continued his distinguished career at the State Department, working in congressional relations to advocate for humanitarian aid bills and legislation to assist refugees; and

WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Gene Krizek founded Christian Relief Services, which grew under his determined leadership to become a thriving international philanthropic organization responsible for providing millions of dollars in food, medical supplies, shelter, tools, training, and educational programs to people in need around the world; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Gene Krizek founded Bread and Water for Africa, which supports grassroots initiatives to promote literacy and education, provide medical care and job training, and encourage self-sufficiency in underdeveloped areas; and

WHEREAS, closer to home, Gene Krizek worked with a group of concerned volunteers to establish Americans Helping Americans, which provides food and other necessities, rehabilitates homes, and provides funds for youth summer camps in Appalachia; and

WHEREAS, profoundly impacted by an article about the high rate of suicide among American Indian teenagers, Gene Krizek also developed Running Strong for American Indian Youth, which supports critical services for thousands of individuals on Indian reservations; and

WHEREAS, Gene Krizek’s visionary leadership and unparalleled commitment to philanthropy empowered communities throughout the world and built a legacy of kindness that has endured across generations; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Addy, Gene Krizek will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his sons, Paul, Bryan, and Neil, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Eugene L. Krizek, a longtime federal employee and esteemed leader in humanitarian services; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Eugene L. Krizek as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.