Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Dennis Kruse
upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.
RAATZ
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2022 RR 3524/DI SM Introduced
Second Regular Session 122nd General Assembly (2022)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Dennis
2 Kruse upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.
3 Whereas, Senator Dennis Kruse has honorably and
4 scrupulously served the constituents of District 14, currently
5 encompassing portions of DeKalb and Allen counties, and
6 previously including a portion of Steuben County, since being
7 elected to the Senate in 2004;
8 Whereas, Senator Kruse has been a principled leader
9 within the Senate, serving as Chairman of the Senate
10 Committee on Pensions and Labor from 2007 until 2012 and
11 the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development
12 from 2013 until 2019, and as a member of the Senate
13 Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agriculture
14 and Small Business, Economic Development and Technology,
15 Elections and Civil Affairs, Family and Children Services,
16 Governmental Affairs and Interstate Cooperation, Local
17 Government, Pensions and Labor, Rules and Legislative
18 Procedure, and Utilities;
19 Whereas, Senator Kruse has been a staunch advocate for
20 School Choice, carrying legislation to create Indiana's Choice
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1 Scholarship voucher program, and sponsoring the Innovation
2 Network School Law;
3 Whereas, Senator Kruse has been a strong proponent of
4 civic engagement among young Hoosiers, authoring legislation
5 requiring high school students to take the U.S. citizenship test,
6 supporting legislation requiring a civics course for middle
7 school students, inclusion of the national motto in schools, and
8 authoring legislation requiring United States history courses to
9 include the structure of state and federal governments;
10 Whereas, A supporter of Hoosier families, Senator Kruse
11 passed legislation to require Indiana businesses to provide
12 lactation areas for female employees, sponsored a proposed
13 amendment to the Indiana Constitution defining marriage, and
14 authored bills regarding grandparent visitation rights, parental
15 rights and privileges, and establishing the covenant marriage;
16 Whereas, Senator Kruse has also been a longtime advocate
17 for religious freedom, authoring legislation allowing students
18 to receive academic credits for religious instruction, permitting
19 students to pray in schools, and increasing parental oversight
20 over school curriculum;
21 Whereas, Senator Kruse wrote additional legislation on a
22 litany of topics ranging from obstructions at railroad-highway
23 grade crossings, adding a second magistrate to the Allen
24 County Circuit Court, charity gaming, judges pensions, airport
25 boards, various transportation matters, and the regulation of
26 boxing, sparring, and unarmed combat;
27 Whereas, For his tireless service and dedication to the State
28 of Indiana, Senator Kruse has been recognized with numerous
29 awards, including honorary degrees from Harrison College
30 and Ivy Tech Community College, the National Charter School
31 Award, being named the Most Influential in State and Local
32 Government by the National AfterSchool Association, and
33 being named Legislator of the Year by the Indiana School
2022 RR 3524/DI SM 3
1 Counselor Association in 2013 and 2019, the National
2 Federation of Independent Business in 2010, the Indiana
3 Aviation Association in 2006, and Mothers Against Drunk
4 Driving in 1996 and 2015;
5 Whereas, Always focused on civil service, Senator Kruse
6 served as Jackson Township Trustee from 1983 to 1989, as the
7 Representative representing District 51 in the Indiana House of
8 Representatives from 1989 until 2004, as an Indiana
9 Republican Convention delegate, and as a precinct
10 committeeman for Jackson Township South in DeKalb County;
11 Whereas, In addition to his elected service, Senator Kruse
12 has also served as a board member for Trine University,
13 commissioner of the National Commission on Teaching and
14 America's Future, commissioner of the United States Education
15 Commission of the States, chairman of the Indiana
16 Conservative Assembly, president of the Indiana Auctioneers
17 Association, president of the National Auctioneers Association,
18 prior owner and current president emeritus of the Reppert
19 School of Auctioneering, and was inducted into the Indiana
20 Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 2007;
21 Whereas, Upon retirement, Senator Kruse plans to spend
22 additional time with his wife, Kay, four sons, and eleven
23 grandchildren; and
24
25 Whereas, Senator Kruse's unique expertise, leadership, and
26 integrity will be greatly missed within the Indiana Senate and
27 throughout the Statehouse: Therefore,
28 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
29 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
30 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate honors Senator
31 Dennis Kruse upon his retirement and thanks him for his many
32 years of service to the Indiana Senate.
2022 RR 3524/DI SM 4
1 SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
2 to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Senator Dennis Kruse
3 and his wife, Kay.
2022 RR 3524/DI SM