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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Philip 1
Richard Konopka. 2
WHEREAS, Philip Richard Konopka was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on August 3
13, 1980, to Richard and Joyce Schweickart Konopka; and 4
WHEREAS, a native son of Kentucky, Philip Richard Konopka was well known 5
and appreciated throughout eastern Kentucky for working hard and having a passion for 6
agriculture; and 7
WHEREAS, Philip Richard Konopka attended Morehead State University and 8
developed many friendships in the agriculture community throughout the 9
Commonwealth. He was well known for wearing his cowboy hat and having a love of all 10
things John Deere, but more importantly he was known as someone with a kind heart; 11
and 12
WHEREAS, in March 2005, Philip Richard Konopka became the Lewis County 13
Extension Agent, teaching others throughout eastern Kentucky about best agriculture 14
practices and demonstrating his love and enthusiasm for Kentucky agriculture; and 15
WHEREAS, it was often said of Philip Richard Konopka that he never met a 16
stranger, always went above and beyond what would normally be expected, and that he 17
was an excellent coordinator, presented a positive attitude, and took time to talk to 18
everyone he met; and 19
WHEREAS, Philip Richard Konopka was a great asset to Lewis County and his 20
fellow extension agents across the state, having organized a webinar series entitled The 21
Unexpected Pleasure of Gardening with the University of Kentucky, Department of 22
Horticulture, and assisted a record number of people who established home gardens, 23
many of whom were new gardeners during the summer of 2020 because of the pandemic; 24
and 25
WHEREAS, Philip Richard Konopka was a Kentucky Certified Crop Advisor; a 26
member of the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council; a member of the Kentucky 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 98
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Cattlemen's Association; a friend to the Lewis County Farmers' Market; a well-respected 1
figure by the Tollesboro Lions Club, having a significant impact upon the youth of Lewis 2
County because of his presence, dedication, and contributions with the livestock shows, 3
4-H programs, and the Future Farmers of America; and a member of the Kentucky 4
Association of County Agriculture Agents (KACAA); and 5
WHEREAS, Philip Richard Konopka was scheduled to receive the KACAA 6
Distinguished Service Award during this summer; and 7
WHEREAS, as a deacon of the First Christian Church of Olive Hill, where he also 8
served as the secretary, Philip Richard Konopka was an upstanding Christian man who 9
deeply loved God; 10
WHEREAS, Phillip Richard Konopka leaves behind his loving wife of 16 years, 11
Rebecca Grubb Konopka, his parents, his brother, Josh, and all of his immediate and 12
extended family and friends who will miss him dearly; and 13
WHEREAS, Phillip Richard Konopka went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, 14
May 3, 2023; 15
NOW, THEREFORE, 16
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 17
Kentucky: 18
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its most profound sympathy upon the 19
passing of Philip Richard Konopka. 20
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 21
memory of Philip Richard Konopka. 22
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 23
Resolution to Senator Robin L. Webb for delivery to the family. 24