Honor Walter Kiszenick’s 100th Birthday

Senate Resolution No. 3944 BY: Senator PHILLIPS CONGRATULATING Walter Kiszenick upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Walter Kiszenick upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick was born on April 1, 1918, to Stanley and Katherine Kiszenick in Ozone Park, New York, where he attended PS 58 and John Adams High School; an exceptional student, he was the recipient of numerous academic certificates, including a general scholarship for science and an award for math; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1941, Walter Kiszenick worked for the New York Subway System, and then the Brooklyn Navy Yard before he was drafted into the United States Army in March of

1943; the Army sent him to Penn State where he studied for seven months; and WHEREAS, In December of 1943, Walter Kiszenick married the love of his life, the former Helen Kaluka in State College, Pennsylvania; three years later, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Patricia; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick then worked on the Manhattan Project in New Mexico; in 1945, he witnessed the first bomb explode from 20 miles away; and WHEREAS, After his discharge from the Army in March of 1946, Walter Kiszenick returned to his hometown and went back to work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard while completing his master's degree at Polytechnic Institute of New York; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick then began his esteemed teaching career as an Associate Professor in the physics department at Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1947; during this time, he published numerous scientific articles about various physics topics; and WHEREAS, In 1951, Walter and Helen Kiszenick's second daughter, Carol was born, and the family resided in Jamaica Queens; two years later, they moved into their brand new home in Westbury, New York; and WHEREAS, In addition to his employment at his alma mater, Walter Kiszenick worked for the United States Weather Bureau in Barbados where he flew into hurricanes and studied the feasibility of using a nuclear bomb to dissipate hurricanes in 1961; and WHEREAS, During the 1960s, Walter Kiszenick worked for the United State government at the Cold Regions Research Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire; in the 1970s, he once again worked for the government in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and conducted cancer research at the Brookhaven National Lab; and WHEREAS, After leaving Polytechnic Institute of New York, Walter Kiszenick continued to teach at the school's graduate center in Farmingdale, New York; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick is a man of many passions and interests; he spent a great deal of time on the water fishing for the big one that got away, and tending to his garden; he enjoyed reading and faithfully attended church weekly and taught adult Sunday School classes; and WHEREAS, Well into his 90s, Walter Kiszenick continued to do many of the things he loved, and remained independent by driving his own vehicle and taking care of the occasional house repair; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his beloved wife of 74 years, Helen, and their two children, Patricia and Carol, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick, with his zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and WHEREAS, This distinguished man has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to savor a full life; and WHEREAS, Walter Kiszenick has enriched the lives of those around him through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Walter Kiszenick upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Walter Kiszenick.