Bill Text: AZ HR2004 | 2016 | Fifty-second Legislature 2nd Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Death resolution; Laura Knaperek
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 46-29)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-11 - Transmitted to Secretary Of State [HR2004 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2016-HR2004-Enrolled.html
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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 2004 |
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A RESOLUTION
on the death of the Honorable Laura Daidone Knaperek.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
The Honorable Laura Daidone Knaperek passed away on March 3, 2016.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Laura spent her childhood in Park Forest, Illinois where she attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from Crete Monee High School. After marrying the love of her life, Robert, in 1978, the young couple moved to Arizona.
Laura distinguished herself as an outstanding public servant throughout her lifetime. A relentless advocate for the most vulnerable in our society, Laura always put the needs of others before her own. She advocated on behalf of children with special needs and their families for many years in her position as the Executive Director for the Arizona Consortium for Children with Chronic Illness. She was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1994, in which capacity she faithfully served her constituents from 1995 through 2002 and from 2005 through 2006. During her tenure in the legislature, she served as chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, vice chairperson of the House Education and Health Committees and chairperson of the Children and Families Integrated Delivery Systems. Laura was an early champion of the Right to Try movement and fought passionately for it to become law in Arizona. She organized and led a team to ensure Arizona voters knew that Right to Try legislation would provide terminally ill patients with the right to try potentially lifesaving experimental treatment. When some close to Laura said she should focus on her own cancer battle, she happily responded that helping others find cures was the "right thing to do."
Despite the demands of her work, Laura gave selflessly of her time, energy and abilities to various civic and educational organizations. She served on the Kyrene Governing Board and volunteered on numerous boards and committees, including the Center for Habilitation Board of Directors, the Arizona Parents' Association for Children's Education, the Mentally Ill Kids in Distress Advisory Board, the Lexington Institute Education Reform Advisory Board, the Channel 12 Education Team, the Governor's Steering Committee for the Service Delivery Improvement Initiative, the Arizona Initiative for Mental Health, the Great Schools Advisory Board, the President's Committee on Mental Retardation and the Arizona State University West Educational Task Force. Laura also served as cochairperson of Pound Out Cancer, a nonprofit organization that was near and dear to her heart.
A natural-born leader, faithful public servant, devoted wife and loving mother, nana, daughter, sister-in-law, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and colleague, Laura will deeply be missed and fondly remembered for her strong values and morals as well as her tremendous faith, selflessness and service.
Deeply devoted to her family, Laura will be greatly missed by her husband of 38 years, Robert, her children, Jeshiva, Christopher, Beth, Sarah Jo, Phyllis and Anthony, her brothers, James and John, her 19 grandchildren and her one great-grandchild.
Therefore
Be it resolved be the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:
That the Members of the House of Representatives express sincere regret at the passing of the Honorable Laura Daidone Knaperek and extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to her family and many friends.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE APRIL 11, 2016.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 11, 2016.
