Jay K. Katzen
Jay K. Katzen | |
---|---|
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 31st district | |
In office January 12, 1994 – January 9, 2002 | |
Preceded by | Jerry Wood |
Succeeded by | Scott Lingamfelter |
Personal details | |
Born | Jay Kenneth Katzen August 23, 1936 |
Died | April 9, 2020 Talkeetna, Alaska, U.S. | (aged 83)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Patricia Ann Morse |
Alma mater | Princeton University (BA) Yale University (MA) |
Jay Kenneth Katzen (August 23, 1936 – April 9, 2020) was an American diplomat, business consultant, state legislator, and government agency administrator, and former President of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. He graduated from Princeton University (1958) and Yale University (1959) and served United States presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower through George H. W. Bush. His positions included White House translator and U.S. representative to the United Nations. From 1977 to 1979 he served chargé d'affairs ad interim to Congo (Brazzaville). He became active in Virginia politics when elected in 1993 to represent the 31st legislative district of the Virginia House of Delegates.[1] In 2001, he was the Republican Party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
He received his B.A. (magna cum laude) in Political Science from Princeton University in 1958 and his M.A. in International Relations from Yale University the following year. He attended the
Jay and his wife of 56 years, Paddy, were driving forces in the construction of the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was chairman of the Board of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge. The Katzens moved to Alaska in 2009, where he continued his service as a National Park Ranger.
U.S. Government
From 1959 to 1979, Jay Katzen served as a career
Katzen was trained at the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service Institute to speak five languages: French, Romanian, Swahili, Lingala and Kirundi.
In 1990, Katzen was appointed by President Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Vice Chairman of the Board of the African Development Foundation, and served in that capacity for two years.
From February 2004 to January 2009, Katzen served as the U.S. Peace Corps’ Regional Director overseeing 19 programs in Europe, the Mediterranean area, and Asia. From August 2005 to May 2006, he served concurrently as Acting Chief of Staff/Chief of Operations of the Peace Corps.
In 2011, Katzen was a Park Ranger at the Talkeetna Ranger Station in Denali National Park, Alaska.
Legislative experience
Katzen was elected in 1993 to represent the 31st legislative district of
Katzen was the Republican Party’s nominee for
Private sector
In 2003, Katzen was chosen in a national search to become CEO and President of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, charged by Congress and the White House—with bipartisan support—to erect a memorial in Washington to the 100 million victims of communism. The monument was unveiled and dedicated by the Foundation’s Honorary Chairman, President George W. Bush, in June 2007.[5]
From 1979 to 1991, Katzen served as a senior advisor reporting directly to the chairmen and senior executives of corporations including Bechtel, Consolidated Gold Fields, Fluor, Kennecott, Newmont Mining, and Phelps Dodge, helping to steer those companies to successful investment opportunities abroad.
Recognition
Katzen has been recognized by the
Personal life
Katzen died on April 9, 2020, at the age of 83 at his home in Talkeetna, Alaska.[6]
References
- ^ Foreign service journal American Foreign Service Association - 1996, Volume 73 - Page 30
- ^ "Board of Directors & Executive Staff". Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ "Katzen, Kilgore pledge to build on agenda". The Washington Times. June 5, 2001. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "Candidate Profile: Jay K. Katzen (R)". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ Rauch, Jonathan (December 2003). "The Forgotten Millions". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
- ^ "Obituary - Jay K. Katzen". Fauquier Now. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.