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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2287-E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                       TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA KREBS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Virginia Krebs, my former colleague on the Johnson County Community 
College Board, JCCC, who recently stepped down from that position at 
the age of 89.
  My tenure on the JCCC overlapped with Virginia Krebs for 6 years in 
the 1990s. She is truly a distinguished public servant whose concern 
for our community has benefited her friends in neighbors, both in 
tangible and intangible ways, since the 1960s. Today, Sun Publications 
of Johnson County posted an editorial reflecting on her distinguished 
service and an article detailing some of the ways in which she served 
Johnson County and the JCCC over the past several decades. These two 
pieces tell her story much better than could I. I include them in the 
Record for review by the House membership and wish my good friend, 
Virginia Krebs, many happy returns on her long-delayed retirement, 
although I am certain she will continue to find ways of being 
indispensable to the JCCC and Johnson County.

                 [From Sun Publications, Nov. 19, 2008]

                       A Model for Public Service

       The departure of Virginia Krebs from the Johnson County 
     Community College Board of Trustees is a reminder of her long 
     and distinguished service to the college. Her leadership, 
     from JCCC's beginning, helped bring it recognition as one of 
     the nation's most prestigious community colleges.
       Actually, her dedication predates the life of the college. 
     Krebs served on the task force, appointed by the county 
     commission in 1963, to examine the feasibility of a community 
     college here. That three-year chore led to establishment of 
     the college district and, in 1967, voter approval of a tax to 
     support it.
       Rather than running for the board of trustees, as she was 
     urged to do, Krebs signed on as the first employee, a part-
     time job as the board secretary. Later she became special 
     assistant to the governing body. In that role she worked 
     closely with the trustees in forming the mission and 
     fundamental objectives of the college, along with the hiring 
     of its first president.
       Her career at the college mirrored the widespread entry of 
     women into the professions and work force. She was in her 
     late 40s and the mother of four sons, two of them elementary 
     school age and younger, in the early years of her time at the 
     college. She knew from personal experience the needs of 
     working women.
       As the college's director of community services--its 
     first--in the 1970s and '80s, Krebs played a major part in 
     creating one of the most highly respected continuing 
     education programs in the Midwest.
       Her awareness of societal and economic changes led to 
     creation of a program for women who, having raised their 
     families, were interested in work outside the home. It helped 
     prepare women for a new career.
       Krebs was on the leading edge of many activities that 
     enriched our cultural and intellectual life. She helped 
     organize the first county arts council, a JCCC ``Evening With 
     the Stars,'' an astronomy venture for the public, and a 
     speakers bureau that arranged for faculty members to appear 
     at meetings of civic, service and community groups.
       A year after she retired from the college in 1984, Krebs 
     found another way to serve. She ran for and was elected to 
     the JCCC Board of Trustees. Voters returned her to the board 
     six times, the most recent in 2005. She retired in mid-
     October.
       As a trustee, Krebs drew from her experience on the faculty 
     to bring the needs of continuing education to the board. She 
     was known as a good listener, well-read and with the ability 
     to analyze issues with keen insight. She was not a frequent 
     speaker at trustee meetings, but when she spoke, her comments 
     were considered a valuable addition to the discussion and 
     decision at hand.
       Virginia Krebs has been an imaginative, innovative force in 
     this community. She deserves our praise and gratitude.
                                  ____

                 [From Sun Publications, Nov. 19, 2008]

                   Retiring JCCC Icon Will Be Missed

                          (By Kristin Babcock)

       The history book about Johnson County Community College is 
     dedicated to her. As Charles Bishop, professor emeritus at 
     the college, researched and wrote the book, one influential 
     name appeared more than any other: Virginia Krebs.
       ``Dedicating it to her was a very easy decision,'' Bishop 
     said. ``When I looked at the history, she was someone who was 
     instrumental from the beginning. There was no easier choice 
     than Virginia Krebs.''
       Krebs, who became the college's first employee in 1967, 
     recently resigned from her position on the college's Board of 
     Trustees. Krebs, who turned 89 this year, said she was ready 
     to stop driving to meetings. She also hopes to become more 
     involved in her retirement community, she said.
       ``It was not any big thing, and I still hope to do some 
     things with the college,'' Krebs said.
       Her desire to be involved started in childhood, Krebs said. 
     In grade school she started her own civics clubs.
       In adulthood she helped form and lead several parent-
     teacher associations. She served as program chair for Kansas 
     State PTA. She served on state task forces to revise state 
     school codes and to consolidate area school districts.
       ``She just always had interest in organizing,'' Virginia's 
     son Fred Krebs said. ``There was always an emphasis of trying 
     to group things that brought people together in the 
     community. The community college came along and they were 
     born to meet.''
       In 1963, the board of county commissioners appointed 
     Virginia to study the feasibility of building a community 
     college in Johnson County. In 1967, county voters approved a 
     taxing district to fund the college. Before the college had 
     its own buildings, Virginia became the college's first 
     employee as assistant to the first board of trustees.
       ``Community colleges were kind of the new kid on the block 
     in the '60s and '70s,'' Bishop said. ``She always had her 
     ears to the community and tuned into the higher-end world as 
     well. She did a nice job of marrying higher education and 
     community needs.''
       Those marriages were seen most prominently when Virginia 
     became JCCC's director of community services in 1969. Under 
     her leadership, organizations formed to include senior 
     citizens, art supporters and community civic groups. Through 
     her efforts, students, children and adults found a place to 
     be involved, educated and entertained at the college.
       ``She is kind of a matriarch of Johnson County Community 
     College,'' Charles Carlsen, former JCCC president, said. 
     ``She was well-networked and promoted relationships between 
     groups and the college.''
       Some groups Virginia called ``among the most interesting'' 
     were programs that helped women educate themselves to enter 
     the working world in the 1960s and 1970s.
       ``It helped ease the transition for literally hundreds of 
     women in the county,'' Bishop said.
       Virginia also helped form a speakers bureau at the college. 
     Professors spoke to civic organizations about a variety of 
     topics. Although it involved extra work with no extra pay for 
     professors, they would volunteer when she asked, Bishop said.
       ``A lot of professors like to squirrel down in their office 
     and read books, and she got them to get out there,'' Bishop 
     said. ``Her arms were long and her grip was wide. She reached 
     out to aspects of the community, involved people and got you 
     in there. She has a fire in her belly when she needs to.''
       Virginia retired from work at the college in 1984. She ran 
     for a position on the board of trustees and was elected in 
     1985.
       ``I was not surprised when she ran for the board,'' Fred 
     said. ``She felt she had important things to do. She felt she 
     was making a contribution. It was very important to her.''
       Fred predicted that even in retirement people will still 
     use his mother as a resource.
       ``She still has contributions to make,'' Fred said. ``Lots 
     of people still think of her as a mentor. She has a legacy we 
     all have to follow.''

[[Page E2288]]

       Voters re-elected Virginia for six consecutive terms on the 
     board of trustees. After her retirement, the board named her 
     the first trustee emeritus.
       ``She was a stalwart throughout,'' Fred Logan, former JCCC 
     board chair, said. ``She is one of the founders but not just 
     a founder. She has been an important part for 40 years. That 
     kind of service will always be remembered.''
       On Nov. 20, the JCCC Board of Trustees will interview eight 
     finalists to fill Virginia Krebs' term, which ends June 30.
       The candidates are: Laura S. Byrne-Harris, Leawood; William 
     A. Dean, Overland Park; Ronnie Metsker, Overland Park; 
     Michael M. Morales, Olathe; Melody L. Rayl, Olathe; Kurtis M. 
     Ruf, Overland Park; Mary R. Tearney, Leawood; and Sandra K. 
     Willsie, Overland Park.
       The new trustee will begin Dec. 11. The seat is up for 
     election in April 2009.

                          ____________________
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