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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 282
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In Memory |
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of |
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Willie I. Kocurek |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the |
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citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of Willie I. Kocurek, who |
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died January 1, 2009, at the age of 98; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime civic leader and supporter of |
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education, Willie I. Kocurek was born in Dime Box on October 14, |
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1910; he graduated as valedictorian of his class at Caldwell High |
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School before attending The University of Texas at Austin; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Kocurek paid his way through college by |
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working at a filling station; he later bought the station, which |
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became the foundation of the Willie Kocurek Company, expanding to |
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include furniture, appliance, and tire sales; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Kocurek retired from his company in 1977 and |
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returned to college, reenrolling in law school; at 69, he became |
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the oldest person ever to graduate from The University of Texas |
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School of Law, and he practiced law for 22 years following his |
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graduation; and |
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WHEREAS, Passionate about education, Mr. Kocurek |
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understood the benefits it brings to society, and for 40 years he |
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devoted much of his time and energy to educational causes; he |
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served as president of the board of the Austin Independent School |
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District and of the Texas Association of School Boards, and he |
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also served as a director of the National Association of School |
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Boards; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Kocurek was fittingly honored in 1986 when an |
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elementary school in southwest Austin was named for him; well |
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known for his lifelong commitment to serving his community, he |
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was chosen as Austin's Most Outstanding Young Man in 1941 and as |
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Austin's Most Worthy Citizen in 1980, and he and his son Neal were |
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chosen as Austinites of the Year in 1990; and |
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WHEREAS, A tireless volunteer, Mr. Kocurek was active in |
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the Austin Founders Lions Club and served as director of the |
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Lions Eye Bank; he also worked with Meals on Wheels, KLRU-TV, the |
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Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin, the Capital Area Food Bank, and |
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many other organizations; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of vision, strength, and generosity, he gave |
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unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his kindness, and his |
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enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be |
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forgotten by those who knew him; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Kocurek was a devoted husband, father, and |
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grandfather, and his family and countless friends will always |
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treasure the cherished memories of his life and his many |
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achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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family of Willie I. Kocurek: his wife of 74 years, Maurine |
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Gustafson Kocurek; his daughter, Kay Kocurek Bell; his |
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grandchildren, Jeff and Kelly Kocurek and Suzanne Kocurek Rose; |
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and his great-grandchildren, Cole, Clayton, Melanie, Will, and |
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Mary Frances Kocurek and Zack, Rebecca, and Hannah Rose; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Willie I. Kocurek. |
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Watson |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 23, 2009, |
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by a rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |