[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARIAN KLEBANOFF

                                 ______


                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 1996

  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marian Klebanoff who 
will receive the State of Israel's Heritage Award on Sunday, May 19, 
1996, in Wichita, KS. Marian has dedicated her life to her family and 
to her community and to the State of Israel.
  Marian was born in 1916 in Kansas City, MO, the second child of Edith 
and Benjamin Bell. She graduated from Linwood Elementary School and 
Central High School. Marian attended the Kansas City Art Institute, the 
University of Kansas, and the University of Tulsa. In 1940 she married 
Nathan Wedlan of Kansas City where they lived most of their married 
life. The had two daughter, Myrna who is married to David Lyons and 
Bobbi who is married to Larrie Weil.
  Marian first visited Israel in 1973 with her husband who died later 
that year. In 1978 she moved to Wichita, KS, to marry Joseph Klebanoff 
who has two sons, Gary and Alan. She and Joe have been blessed with 
seven wonderful grandchildren: Jonathan Wedlan Lyons, Brett Harrison 
Lyons, Parker Anders Weil, Sarah Marion Weil, Sarah Annie Klebanoff, 
David James Klebanoff, and Kara Klebanoff.
  Marian's devotion to her family is equaled only by her commitment to 
helping others. She began her public service as a high school student 
when she volunteered at Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City, MO, as 
a librarian. A great lover of children, Marian taught Sunday school and 
nursery school and was camp director at Beth Shalom.
  Marian has lived several places during her adult life and has always 
been actively involved in her community. In Kansas City Marian served 
as the director of Jewish education and art gallery coordinator for the 
Jewish Community Center; she also was a board member of Congregation 
Beth Shalom Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, and 
Jewish Federation. While living in Tulsa, OK, Marian was president of 
the National Council of Jewish Women and served on the board of 
directors of Hadassah, Jewish Federation, and ORT.
  More recently Marian has served on the board of directors of Jewish 
Federation of Wichita, Temple Emanu-El Temple, Temple Emanu-El 
Sisterhood, Hadassah, and B'nai N'rith Women. She has been president of 
Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood and also has served as chairperson of the 
Education and Anti-Defamation League communities as well co-chair of 
the women's division of the Jewish Federation. Marian is also a member 
of the Wichita Gardens Botanica, Wichita Art Museum, Wichita Center for 
the Arts, Wichita Symphony Association, Wichita-Sedgwick County 
Historical Museum, American Civil Liberties Union, and the Mainstream 
Coalition.
  I am proud to list the many organizations with which Marian has 
worked, but Marian's life has been much more than the sum of all the 
wonderful parts. The Hebrew language has no word which directly 
corresponds to the English word ``charity.'' The closest word for 
``charity'' in Hebrew is ``Tzedakah'' which is a Judiac admonition to 
be righteous, compassionate, and, above all, help one's fellow man. 
Marian is a most perfect example of this combination of community 
service and responsibility.
  I am honored to rise before this distinguished body to recognize 
Marian Wedlan Klebanoff who has earned my respect and that of her 
family and her friends. She is a worthy recipient of the State of 
Israel's Heritage Award for her devotion to her family, to her 
synagogue, to her community, and to the State of Israel.

                          ____________________