By: Kubiak H.R. No. 103 73R2845 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Brothers Joe and Bernard Rychlik have selflessly 1-2 devoted themselves to a myriad of community services in Caldwell, 1-3 Texas; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Seeking a better life in the United States, the 1-5 brothers' great-grandparents, Joseph and Anna Chnerhorsky Rychlik, 1-6 with their 17-year-old son, Frank, immigrated from Moravia to 1-7 Burleson County in 1880 and settled in a log cabin in New Tabor; 1-8 and 1-9 WHEREAS, The Rychlik clan worked the fertile Texas soil, 1-10 establishing a successful family farm, where Emil Rychlik, the 1-11 proud father of Joe and Bernard, still makes his home; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Emil Rychlik's devoted wife, Rosie, gave birth to 1-13 their two sons, Bernard, who came into the world on September 13, 1-14 1938, and Joe, who was born on September 2, 1946; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Bernard began his career as a bookkeeper with the 1-16 Woodson Lumber Company on the day after Christmas in 1955 and has 1-17 since devoted his efforts to the betterment of the company for 37 1-18 years, working in virtually every possible capacity; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1964 Bernard Rychlik married the former Betty 1-20 Knapek, and together the couple has raised three fine 1-21 children: John David Rychlik, who lives in Plainsboro, New Jersey, 1-22 and is employed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and 1-23 Mary and Michael Rychlik, both of whom are students attending The 1-24 University of Texas at Austin; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Mr. Rychlik has given much of his time to civic 2-2 service, having served the citizens of his community as a member of 2-3 the Caldwell City Council with a tenure as mayor pro tem and in his 2-4 current capacity as mayor; and 2-5 WHEREAS, His love of sports and young people is reflected in 2-6 Mr. Rychlik's tireless support of the community's little league 2-7 programs; despite his demanding schedule, this exemplary citizen 2-8 always finds the time to umpire games, and Rychlik Field was 2-9 deservingly named for him in honor of his unwavering commitment to 2-10 the ideal of youth sports; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Rychlik's many other civic contributions include 2-12 service as a member of the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department for 2-13 more than two decades, as chairman of the building committee and as 2-14 a lectern and a eucharistic minister for St. Mary's Catholic Church 2-15 in Caldwell, as a grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, and as a 2-16 sponsor of the Catholic Youth Organization; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Through his work with the chamber of commerce and 2-18 the city council, this remarkable gentleman has served on numerous 2-19 committees that have benefited not only the community of Caldwell 2-20 but the entire Brazos Valley and the State of Texas; and 2-21 WHEREAS, His brother, Joe Rychlik, joined the United States 2-22 Postal Service in 1966 as a city carrier and is still a valued 2-23 employee of that vital organization; and 2-24 WHEREAS, The former Donna Junell became Joe's bride in 1972, 2-25 and the couple have since provided each other with love and support 2-26 for more than 20 years; and 2-27 WHEREAS, As with his brother, Joe Rychlik also has devoted 3-1 countless hours to community service in Caldwell, serving as 3-2 president of the fair board and as a member of the volunteer fire 3-3 department, the chamber of commerce, and the Caldwell hospital and 3-4 school boards; in addition, he was instrumental in securing 3-5 landscaping for the intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 36, 3-6 doing much of the work himself; and 3-7 WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, Joe Rychlik served 3-8 on the building committee for St. Mary's Catholic Church and 3-9 chaired the St. Jude Hospital fund-raiser in his community for 3-10 several years; additionally, he has taught religious education 3-11 classes at his church and supplies a hearty voice as a member of 3-12 its choir; and 3-13 WHEREAS, Together, Joe and Bernard Rychlik have labored 3-14 shoulder to shoulder for each of the last 10 years to ensure the 3-15 success of the Caldwell Kolache Festival; and 3-16 WHEREAS, The Rychlik brothers' extraordinary efforts in 3-17 behalf of others truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism, and it 3-18 is indeed appropriate that they be given special legislative 3-19 recognition for their continuing contributions in this regard; now, 3-20 therefore, be it 3-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-22 Legislature hereby commend Joe and Bernard Rychlik for their 3-23 inspirational contributions to their community and extend to them 3-24 best wishes for continued success and happiness in the future; and, 3-25 be it further 3-26 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 3-27 for Joe and Bernard Rychlik as an expression of high regard by the 4-1 Texas House of Representatives.