[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 117 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CHIEF GARY KONZAK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2000

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I take this 
moment to celebrate the life of former Grand Junction Police Chief Gary 
Konzak. Gary recently passed away after complications resulting from 
heart surgery. Chief Konzak served the Grand Valley admirably and his 
leadership and commitment to public safety will be greatly missed. As 
family, friends, and fellow police officers say good-bye to Gary, I 
would like to take this time to honor this remarkable human being.
  Chief Konzak began his career in law enforcement in 1968 as a cadet 
in LaGrange, Illinois. Gary's outstanding leadership abilities and 
drive to succeed propelled him to the rank of Chief in 1987. After 
serving as Chief for half a decade in LeGrange, he moved to Carol 
Stream, Illinois, where he again served as Chief of Police. He remained 
in Carol Stream until 1997, when he redirected his impressive law 
enforcement abilities toward serving the Grand Junction community.
  During Chief Konzak's two and one-half years as Chief of Police, he 
made an impressive impact upon the law enforcement community in Grand 
Junction, as well as on the area as a whole. Lt. Stan Hilkey of the 
Mesa County Sheriff's Department, in a recent article by Zack Barnett 
of The Daily Sentinel, credited Chief Konzak with helping improve the 
healthy relationship between the Grand Junction Police Department and 
the Mesa County Sheriff's Department. His success in fostering this 
relationship was instrumental in forming the Grand Valley Joint Drug 
Task Force. Chief Konzak has also been credited with working to improve 
traffic and drug enforcement, as well as the visibility of police 
officers within the city of Grand Junction.
  Chief Konzak served his community, State and Nation admirably. It is 
men like Chief Gary Konzak that ensure that the communities of this 
great nation are safe for all citizens, and for that I thank him.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former police officer, I ask that we take this 
moment to honor this great American and friend of Grand Junction. He 
was a dedicated public servant who will truly be missed.

                          ____________________