[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO FRANK KOGOVSEK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker I rise today to pay tribute to Frank 
Kogovsek, a man of quiet but firm character who spent his life making a 
difference in the lives of ``underdogs.''
  Frank Kogovsek was born June 22, 1939 in Pueblo, Colorado, to Frank 
L. and Mary Blatnick Kogovsek. He graduated from Pueblo Catholic High 
School in 1957 and went on to the seminary. He was ordained a Catholic 
priest in 1965. His fifth assignment was in La Junta, where he served 
as assistant pastor of Assumption Churchl in Bessemer.
  He taught at Seton High as well, a Catholic school for girls. At 
Seton High he reconnected with a former classmate who had become a nun, 
Leona Reinert. Frank left the priesthood and Leona gave up being a nun 
and they were married in November 28, 1970 in Lakewood, Colorado.
  Leona fondly remembered his work with students, describing him as a 
mentor who was ``always looking out for the underdog, trying to guide 
them and educate them as to things available to assist them. He was a 
kind, understanding, soft-spoken person.''
  Frank continued to work with underdogs when he and Leona moved to 
Adams County. He took on a job as a probation officer for the City of 
Denver. Until 1995, he worked with at-risk youth, mentoring and guiding 
young people that were mixed up with the law.
  Frank and Leona's love of children led them to adopt three of their 
own. They had a daughter, Jennifer, and two sons, Greg and Jerome. 
Jennifer fondly remembered her father's love for the simple things in 
life. ``He loved his backyard,'' she said. ``He built a patio when we 
were kids. He just loved to be outside in summer.''
  Weakened by Parkinson's disease, Frank succumbed to pneumonia on 
February 22, 2006 at the age of 66. Frank was a common man that spent 
his life making an uncommon mark upon individuals that often had 
nowhere else to turn. I join his family in grieving his loss and 
commemorating his life of service as an example for all of us.

                          ____________________