[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL KONECNY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2004

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
Arkansan and an outstanding citizen; I am proud to recognize Samuel 
Konecny in the Congress. His recent death was a great loss to his 
community, his family, his state and this nation.
  As a third-generation farmer and a member of the Arkansas State Plant 
Board, he was proud of his efforts to preserve the Grand Prairie. His 
desire to conserve was highlighted when he allocated 53 acres of virgin 
prairie to the Department of Arkansas Heritage and received the 
Arkansas Conservationist of the Year award.
  Mr. Konecny served his country with distinction as a retired captain 
in the Arkansas National Guard and served as company commander for the 
local unit. He and his unit were deployed throughout the Central High 
School crisis and helped break the stranglehold of segregation when he 
escorted ``The Little Rock Nine'' safely to school.
  An avid churchgoer, Mr. Konecny was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic 
Church in Stuttgart. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and helped 
initiate the Slovak Oyster Supper.
  Maybe most importantly, Mr. Konecny was a man of great generosity 
both with his money and his time. He was instrumental in persuading 
Riceland Foods and Producers Rice Mill to encourage members to donate 
rice to the food program to feed the hungry. He spent many hours of his 
life helping people in need and performed many acts of charity 
throughout his church and community.
  A devout public servant, he served as a supporter and legislative 
liaison to former Governors Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker and was a 
long-time sergeant at arms for the Arkansas State Senate. Sam Konecny 
was a man of honor, religion and compassion. On behalf of the Congress, 
I extend sympathies to his family, and gratitude for all he did to make 
the world a better place.

                          ____________________