[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF NEAL J. KATZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2022

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor and celebrate the 
life of Neal J. Katz.
  On November 23, 1954, Neal was born to Regina and Louis Katz in New 
York City. In high school he would earn the name ``Statz'' after 
managing statistics for Horace Mann's Basketball Team, a lifelong skill 
to which he was well suited.
  Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where 
he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master's 
in Business Administration, Neal and his wife, Diane, would move to 
Texas, eventually settling in Plano.
  Mr. Katz would become an active fixture in Collin County politics 
where his roles included serving as an elector as part of the Texas 
delegation to the Electoral College, on the State Republican Executive 
Committee, as a delegate to the National Convention, and as an active 
participant in more than a dozen local organizations. Most recently, he 
retired as Executive Director of the Collin County Republican Party.
  Service above self was an important component of Neal's life, and his 
passions included keeping his hometown of Plano safe. To that end, he 
was a graduate of the Plano Citizens Police Academy, a Field Training 
Officer, and a volunteer in several initiatives including Citizens 
Assisting Plano Police, the Plano Youth Police Academy, and Summer 
Safety School.
  As a proud father to Janelle and Rachel, Neal proudly served as a 
Girl Scouts Troop Cookie Dad before being elevated to a University of 
North Texas sports fan and ISU theatre patron.
  While we mourn Neal's loss, we remember his many contributions as a 
servant leader within our community. With much gratitude for his 
longtime grassroots efforts, I ask my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating the rich legacy of Neal J. 
Katz.

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