[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E84-E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ARNOLD LORBER: A LIFETIME IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly 
extraordinary American and a great friend, Mr. Arnold Lorber, on the 
occasion of his 65th birthday. As a child, Arnold fought for his life 
and the lives of many victims of the Holocaust throughout World War II. 
Today, through his aggressive pursuit of excellence, he is a leader in 
an important American industry and a great asset to our country.
  Arnold is truly one in a million. Cheated of his childhood, his life 
was molded in a torrent of evil. In early 1942, his father, a well-
respected businessman and entrepreneur in his native city of Kosice, 
Czechoslovakia, was taken away to a forced labor camp and never seen 
again, with the rest of his family and community to follow shortly 
thereafter. Showing the courage and intellect that would characterize 
the rest of his life, Arnold posed as a member of the Hitler Youth 
while he smuggled food and supplies to those who had eluded the death 
camps.
  Arnold Lorber's exceptional character, shown in the heroism he 
displayed during the horrors of the Holocaust, manifests itself today 
in his leadership and innovation in the business world. Arnold is a 
pioneer in the textile industry who has devoted his life to introducing 
new technologies and production methods to this important industry. 
Lorber Industries, which Arnold created in 1969 and has directed ever 
since, is the undisputed leader of the southern California textile 
industry and is an invaluable asset to our country's manufacturing 
base. Arnold has won countless awards, including the prestigious West 
Coast Entrepreneur of the Year and the Tommy Award, awarded by the 
American Printed Fabrics Council, Inc., in recognition of his 
innovation in design and color.
  As Arnold established himself in the business world, he did not 
forget the important responsibility that he bears as a survivor of the 
Holocaust. He is a founder of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and 
the Museum's Los Angeles chairman. Through the museum, 

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he has devoted countless hours of his valuable time to teaching the 
history and the lessons of the Holocaust to all Americans and future 
generations.
  Arnold has contributed a great deal to our country through his 
willingness to take risks in pursuit of better and more efficient ways 
of manufacturing and his philanthropic devotion to the task of 
remembrance. I invite my colleagues to join me in expressing our 
appreciation for Arnold Lorber's many accomplishments and his 
continuing devotion to making this country a better place.

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