[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF ANTHONY ``TONY'' MORAVEC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to 
honor a proud American, a great Hoosier, an outstanding man, and a very 
dear friend, Anthony ``Tony'' Moravec.
  Tony left us far too soon, and it is an honor to have his family in 
the House gallery to join us here today.
  Born October 3, 1950, Tony Moravec was the embodiment of the American 
Dream. He worked hard, treated everyone with respect, and had a joyous 
appreciation of life.
  Tony was chairman of Blairex Laboratories and the co-founder of 
Applied Laboratories. These two companies employed countless Hoosiers 
and brought vital economic development to Columbus, Indiana.
  Tony's commitment to our community did not end there. In fact, he 
went far beyond what many business leaders accomplish.
  In 1990, he and his company received the Entrepreneur of the Year 
award from the State of Indiana.
  In 2009, he received the Company of the Year Award from the Columbus 
Chamber of Commerce for the restoration of Zaharakos, an ice cream 
store.
  In 2011, Tony received the Indiana University Provost's Medal, and 
was honored with the President's Circle Laurel Pin and the Partners in 
Philanthropy Cornerstone Award.
  In 2016, he received an award for the restoration of the Columbus 
Pump House.
  Tony established scholarships at the Heritage Fund, Indiana 
University, and Ivy Tech Community College, always seeking to educate 
the next generation of Hoosiers.
  Tony donated his collection of the works of Old Master drawings, 
including a series of scenes from the New Testament, to the IU Eskenazi 
Museum. It became the third largest repository of such drawings in the 
world, earning an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endowment.
  Tony once remarked that he was part of our hometown, Columbus, by 
choice, not by chance; something proven in all his actions.
  Our relationship, our friendship, like so many others in our 
community, went far beyond business or politics. Tony meant so much to 
my wife, Denise, and I.
  It is exceptionally hard to underscore what an immense loss Tony's 
passing is to my family and our entire community.
  So today, I want to impart some wisdom from Tony's parents and 
grandparents that he recently shared with our community at the Moravec 
Hall dedication.
  ``Bite off more than you can chew and chew like hell. Be bold in 
everything you do. It has a magic about it.
  ``Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do or do without. Do your job like 
you own the business. Maybe, someday you will.
  ``Get an education. They can take your house, they can take your car, 
but they can't take your education.''
  And finally, ``Leave the place a better place than you found it,'' 
which Tony did. In fact, he left everywhere a better place than he 
found it.
  May Tony Moravec forever rest in peace. God bless this wonderful man, 
and may God bless his family.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
references to occupants of the gallery.

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