[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15573]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF SERVICE OF RICHARD ``RJ'' KRAUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the life of service of Richard ``RJ'' Krause as well 
as that of his brother, Russell Krause.
  RJ Krause has been a well-known figure in the East St. Louis and 
surrounding community, particularly for his tremendous work for youth 
sports.
  A product of East St. Louis parochial and public schools, RJ 
graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School (East Side) and went 
on to Southwestern Illinois College (then Belleville Area College) and 
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. RJ's early interest in 
serving area youth made a career in education a natural fit and he 
would go on to teach for 38 years before retiring in 2010.
  RJ began his coaching career in 1964, the same year he started high 
school. He has coached most sports, including basketball, baseball, 
softball, football, tennis and cheerleading. On February 10, 2004, RJ 
coached in his 6,000th athletic event, a tremendous accomplishment that 
bears witness to his tireless dedication to youth sports.
  In 1979 RJ founded the RJ Krause All-Stars sports club. Through this 
organization, a generation of mostly at-risk boys and girls has had the 
opportunity to develop their athletic talents through organized sports 
as well as going on educational field trips and many other wholesome 
activities.
  While teaching and coaching, RJ has found time to make many other 
significant contributions to his community. He has served as precinct 
committeeman, county board member and township clerk.
  RJ's list of awards is long, including the Kimmel Community Service 
Award, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Volunteer of the Year Award, the 
St. Louis Sports Commission Award and, most recently, the East St. 
Louis NAACP Stellar Life Achievement Award.
  Through most all of RJ's lifetime of service, he has had a constant 
companion who has worked just as tirelessly for the youth of our area, 
his brother, Russell Krause. Russell has also received his share of 
local awards, including being nominated for the Dr. King Award, being 
named a Hardee's Hometown Hero and recognition from the St. Louis 
Sports Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring two champions 
for youth sports and the St. Louis Metro East community, Richard ``RJ'' 
Krause and his brother, Russell Krause and in wishing both of them and 
their family the very best in the future.

                          ____________________