[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       HONORING LAWRENCE MEINWALD

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in honor of an 
outstanding resident of our 20th Congressional District of New York, 
Lawrence Meinwald, who is deserving of our congratulations on the 
forthcoming celebration of his 80th birthday.
  Throughout Larry's 80 years, he has not only been a successful 
realtor, but more important has been an active, generous dedicated 
member of our community. We commend his benevolence toward others. His 
generosity is exemplified by a recent act in his providing several 
weeks of lodging for the Russian contingent of the Big Brothers/Big 
Sisters organization in his hotel, The Madison. Larry was a Big Brother 
himself in 1944. He enjoyed working with young boys who needed him. He 
noted how proud he was to have been able to aid in the Big Brothers/Big 
Sisters organization 50 years later in their program of training the 
Russians how to operate a matching youth-adult program.
  To more fully describe Larry Meinwald's accomplishments and 
experiences, I request that an excerpt from One Family entitled ``One 
Generous Man Makes Many Dreams Come True,'' by Elieba Levine, be 
inserted at this point in the Record:

  Lawrence Meinwald--An Excerpt From ``One Family'', Spring 1992--One 
                Generous Man Makes Many Dreams Come True

                       (Written by Elieba Levine)

       A group of visiting Russian men and woman recently got a 
     taste of American hospitality--New York style--when hotel 
     owner Larry Meinwald, a Big Brother fifty years ago, gave 
     them free lodging for two weeks in his hotel, The Hotel 
     Madison. The Russians were in town to receive training from 
     Big Brother/Big Sisters of New York City on how to establish 
     and operate a youth-adult matching program in their changing 
     country.
       Without Mr. Meinwald's generosity, the visit would not have 
     been possible since the Russians only had enough money for 
     their plane fare, not food and lodging. Recently, I had the 
     pleasure of meeting Mr. Meinwald at his West Side Townhouse, 
     here he lives and works.
       When I arrived at his headquarters, I was instantly greeted 
     by photographs, letters and heartfelt testimonials that fill 
     the walls of his entry hall. A staff member escorted me to 
     the third floor, where I was told to wait. Those solo moments 
     provided quite a treat. On the walls hung pictures of Harry 
     Truman, Teddy Kolleck, Ed Koch, Herbert Lehman, Abba Eban and 
     other world leaders. In each photo, I saw the same pleasant-
     faced man, with his enchanting handle-bar mustache, smiling 
     or shaking hands with these important people. Surrounding the 
     whiskers is a friendly face, revealing a vibrant presence. I 
     know this must be Larry Meinwald. In person, though now close 
     to eighty years of age, the personality measured up to the 
     image. Sitting down to business, Mr. Meinwald took his place 
     behind an impressive desk. Equally distinct was his 
     comfortable clothing: a dark plaid sports shirt, topped by a 
     goosedown vest, hardly the way one expects a real estate 
     mogul to be attired. I asked him why he had helped Big 
     Brothers with the Russian Contingent. He told me of his 
     experience with Big Brothers. In 1944, he had charge of a 
     twelve year old Hispanic boy whom he would see on weekends. 
     He also went on to describe his own boyhood. He was brought 
     up to believe in doing for others, he said. He thinks Big 
     Brothers is a worthwhile movement, believes in it and knows 
     its value to single parents, he said. Mr. Meinwald never had 
     a son, and liked working with young boys who needed him. 
     Charitable works are a large part of his life and so is 
     contributing to the community in which he lives.
       Mr. Meinwald was silent for a moment and then conversation 
     returned to the Russians. ``There was an ethnic connection as 
     well,'' he said. Though he came from Poland, his father was 
     in the Russian Army, he said, and had told him many stories 
     about Russia. He spoke affectionately about his father. ``My 
     father was a baker,'' he said fondly. ``He told me two things 
     I have never forgotten: One was to get an education no matter 
     what. The other was don't ever become a baker.'' He followed 
     his father's advice, went to City College, and ultimately 
     made his success in real estate. ``I started out as an 
     accountant,'' he said, ``and worked for someone who could 
     neither read nor write. Even so, he was a success. I thought 
     if he could do it, so could I.'' He bought his first building 
     for $500.00, and the rest is history.
       He reached for an envelope on his desk, and took out 
     pictures of a stunning horse with her baby colt. ``I've 
     always had a love for animals, especially horses,'' he said. 
     When I asked if he raced them, he shook his head. He raised 
     them for love, not for profit, he said. After sitting and 
     listening to this wise man for just a short while, I 
     suspected that most everything he did was for the love of it.
       I was indeed happy to have met Larry Meinwald. The Russians 
     could not have found a nicer patron.

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