[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E745-E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JOSEPH AND MICKEY WAPNER

                                 ______


                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                       HON. ANTHONY C. BEILENSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 1996

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I are honored to pay 
tribute to our good friends Judge Joseph and Mickey Wapner, who this 
year are being recognized by the Brandeis-Bardin Institute for their 
significant contribution to Jewish life. We can think of few couples 
who together have been so involved for so long in Democratic Party 
politics and Jewish community activities as have the Wapners. Allow us 
to share a few examples.
  Beginning in the 1960's, Mickey established a pattern of total 
devotion to the causes and people in whom she believed. In 1960 she was 
speakers bureau coordinator for the John Kennedy for President 
campaign; from 1967 to 1970 she was west coast director of public 
relations for the American Jewish Committee; from 1966 to 1968 she was 
a member of the California Commission on the Status of Women. In 1970 
Mickey was named assistant

[[Page E746]]

to the dean and director of alumni and development at the UCLA Graduate 
School of Architecture, a position she held until her retirement in 
1983. Despite her busy professional life, she continued to tend to 
Jewish and political affairs throughout the 1980's and into the 1990's.
  Her husband has proved that being a visible television personality is 
no excuse for neglecting one's community. From 1981 to 1993 he was 
judge on the nationally syndicated program ``The People's Court,'' 
which made him a bona fide celebrity. Still, during this time Judge 
Wapner continued his extensive involvement in civic and community 
affairs, including membership on the board of trustees of Alternative 
Living for the Aging and honorary chairman of the National Jewish 
Hospice. He is the recipient of numerous honors, such as the Golden 
Glow Award from Senior Health and Peer Counseling and the Maimonides 
Award from the legal services division of the Jewish Welfare Fund.
  Both Judge and Mickey Wapner have been staunch supporters of the 
Brandeis-Bardin Institute, which this year is honoring the couple at 
its annual dinner. The Moelle Library and tennis and basketball courts 
at the institute are a result of the generosity and leadership of the 
Wapners.
  We ask our colleagues to join us today in saluting Joseph and Mickey 
Wapner, dear friends who have done so much for so many. Their 
selflessness is a shining example to us all.

                          ____________________