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Minutes for SB431 - Committee on Veterans and Military
Short Title
Directing the capitol preservation committee to approve plans for a memorial honoring Emil Joseph Kapaun.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 5, 2024
The Chairman asked the Revisor to brief the Committee on the contents of SB431. (Attachment 3) She stood for questions.
The Chairman asked Representative Mike Thompson, who had been a chaplain in the service, to make a few comments. Rep. Thompson said military chaplains follow a philosophy of a ministry of presence. That is where chaplains are assigned to units with the soldiers. The chaplains deploy with the soldiers, they trod through the same mud, in the dirt, ride the same convoys, jump out of the same airplanes and face death along with the soldiers. Chaplains Kapaun's ministry was a shining example of 'ministry of presence.' In Korea as his unit was being overrun by the enemy Chaplain Kapaun had the opportunity to evade capture but chose to stay in order to minister to the wounded and dying. He was captured and became a prisoner of war. In the POW camp he ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of his fellow soldiers. Seven months later on May 23, 1951, Chaplain Kapaun died from pneumonia and a blood clot in his leg. He was 35 years old.
Representative Scott Hill also provided comments. He said Pilsen, Kansas (where Chaplain Kapaun was born) is in his legislative district. He said the community is a Czech immigrant community. He told about an amazing church in Pilsen that has been restored and there is a museum there that is dedicated to Father Kapaun. He said every year there is a pilgrimage that comes from Wichita to Pilsen and it retraces the route that was taken when Father Kapaun's remains were brought back from Korea and brought to Pilsen before being interred in Wichita. He said Father Kapaun is a huge part of the community and a huge part of their faith.
Proponents
Mike Kelly was the first proponent. (Attachment 4) He said, "Chaplain Kapaun's physical and moral courage is beyond any superlative. His unrelenting courage and miraculous displays of selflessness under the most extreme conditions in the face of hostile enemy force are shining beacons of positive character values that must never be lost to history."
The next proponent was Michael J. Grothoff.(Attachment 5) According to Mr. Grothoff, he was testifying on behalf of the Knights of Columbus members in favor of SB431. He said they believe adding a memorial of Chaplain Father Emil Kapaun to the Statehouse demonstrates their commitment to the values that this humble servant embodied. He said their members had a special affection for Chaplain Kapaun and their members across the state will embrace this project and work toward its success.
Raymond Kapaun was the next proponent. (Attachment 6) He said he had never met his uncle but his grandmother told him many stories about Chaplain Kapaun. He said Chaplain Kapaun was a priest, a soldier, a chaplain and a hero. He said it was his uncle's love for others that set him apart from everyone else. The POW's that were in the prison camp with Chaplain Kapaun all said the same thing that he always took care of others needs before he thought of himself. He said Chaplain Kapaun's sacrifice saved so many lives in that camp that even to this day the few POW's still living, when they talk of Chaplain Kapaun, they still get tears in their eyes. He concluded his testimony with a quote from Captain Robert Burke,"This is how I remember the finest man I ever knew, the most outstanding priest I've ever seen, the hero of heroes, and to put it simply, the most unforgettable character I've ever met. That diamond in the rough that we would all be proud to call Dad, the man we respect and admire and cherish in our hearts--our beloved Father Kapaun."
Scott Carter, Coordinator for the Father Kapaun Guild, Catholic Diocese of Wichita, came forward to testify.(Attachment 7) He said as coordinator of the Father Kapaun Guild he gets to witness the impact that Chaplain Kapaun's life continues to effect over 70 years after his death. He said in fact rather than dying with him in North Korea, his legacy spreads and grows among people of all faiths and political persuasions. He said thousands visit places related to his life each year, from his grave in Wichita to his hometown of Pilsen and the Chaplain Kapaun Museum. Mr. Carter brought Chaplain Kapaun's Medal of Honor to show the Members.
Pete Meitzner, Sedgwick County Commissioner came forward.(Attachment 8) He said the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners want to honor Chaplain Father Emil Joseph Kapaun who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of our nation. He said the memorial proposed in SB431 honors their hometown hero who is interred in Sedgwick County and that his service to our great nation is recognized by everyone who has worn the uniform and those who support our military. Mr. Meitzner said Father Kapaun's numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor, is deserving of a memorial at our Statehouse. He concluded with a quote from President Ronald Reagan who said, "Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem." He said we know Father Emil Kapaun does not have that problem.
Senator Richard Wilborn was the last to speak.(Attachment 9) He said that he and two Senate colleagues sponsored this bill. He said Father Kapaun was born in Pilsen, KS, which is located within his Senate District. Senator Wilborn said the Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo wrote a press release highlighting the importance of this bill. Secretary Pompeo was instrumental in the bipartisan effort to honor Father Kapaun with the Medal of Honor. He told the Committee that in 2021, when the remains of Chaplain Father Kapaun returned to Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed September 29th as Father Emil Kapaun Day. Governor Kelly's remarks included, "Father Kapaun was known to care for all prisoners - regardless of their background or religion, and we are proud to honor his service and sacrifice for his country." The Senator concluded his testimony by saying Chaplain Father Kapaun is the most decorated U.S.Army Chaplain in history, that he was a native Kansan and an American hero who was recognized by the President of the United States with the highest military honor our nation can bestow.
Opponents
None
Neutrals and Written Only
Justin Moody, Wing Chaplain, Department of the Air Force, 184th Wing, McConnell Air Force Base Kansas (Attachment 10)
Written Only in Support of SB431
Senator Jerry Moran, United States Senator (Attachment 11)
Gerald C. "Chuck" Weber, Executive Director, Kansas Catholic Conference (Attachment 12)
Ray Michael Dowe, Jr, Army friend of Chaplain Kapaun, Spring, Texas (Attachment 13)
Master Sgt. Eugene Bradley on behalf of Michael T. Venerdi, Brigadier General, Kansas National Guard, The Adjutant General (Attachment 14)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting will be on March 7 at which time the Committee will do final action on these bills.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Committee the meeting is adjourned.
