[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO KARA KNACK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kara Knack, who will 
be retiring from the Friends of the Observatory, FOTO, Board this month 
after thirty-four years of dedicated service.
   Kara Knack's enthusiasm for the Griffith Observatory began long 
before she joined FOTO. She first visited the Observatory on a vacation 
in the 1950's, at which point she was so enthralled that when she moved 
to Southern California in the early 1960's, she quickly became a 
regular visitor to the Observatory. Her ardent interest in astronomy 
came to the attention of Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Ed Krupp, 
who encouraged her to become a more active member of FOTO by joining 
the Board of Directors. Upon joining the Board in 1978, Kara began 
writing and editing FOTO's Update newsletter, which she continued to do 
for the next 10 years. Since 1985 she has penned the FOTO Notes section 
in the Griffith Observer, the Observatory's magazine.
   Ms. Knack's passion for astronomy and dedication to the Observatory 
culminated in 2008, when over 2,200 of her celestially themed items 
were used for the Cosmic Connection timeline, now on display in the 
Griffith Observatory. For over two decades, Kara has collected 
celestial objects and jewelry and when the Observatory underwent 
renovation in 2006, she saw an opportunity to share her collection with 
the institution she devoted so much of her time to, and with the 
support of the Observatory staff, the Cosmic Connection was created.
   As a member of FOTO's board, Kara has served as the secretary for 
four terms, as vice president two terms, and as president for three 
terms. In addition she has also served on the Master Plan Committee, 
the Architectural Committee, the Selection Committee, the Renovation 
and Expansion Steering Committee, the Exhibit Planning Committee, the 
Planetarium Planning Committee, the Reopening Committee and the 
Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committee.
   For decades, Kara has demonstrated unparalleled enthusiasm not just 
for the Observatory, but for public education about astronomy. She has 
donated her time, her possessions, and her heart to the pursuit of 
astronomy, and her extraordinary generosity shall continue to be felt 
at the Griffith Observatory for years to come.
   I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring Kara 
Knack for her exemplary service to the Griffith Observatory.

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