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.