[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HERMAN STAROBIN

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, it is a fortunate man who can 
know at the end of his life that he not only earned the respect of 
others, but that he dedicated himself to a cause in which he believed. 
Herman Starobin was certainly one of those men. He died recently at the 
age of 75, having led a full and inspirational life. Herman was a 
longtime friend of mine, whose compassion for and dedication to the 
American worker set an example for us all. A true renaissance man, he 
distinguished himself in many fields over the course of his lifetime.
  During the Second World War, Herman covered the European theater as a 
freelance journalist. After the war, he took over the family business 
from his father, and manufactured steel doors. While running the 
business Herman studied economics at New York University, where he went 
on to earn a doctorate. In 1969, he joined Harman Industries as 
corporate economist, and eventually rose to the presidency. Along the 
way, he garnered the well-deserved reputation as an expert on 
international trade.
  Herman's experience at Harman Industries left an indelible impression 
on him. It led him in 1984 to pursue his next career with the 
International Ladies Garment Workers Union, where he fought valiantly 
for the future of American working men and women. At the time Herman 
had joined Harman Industries, the United States was the preeminent 
manufacturer of consumer electronics, but when he left 15 years later, 
the United States had lost its lead in manufacturing. Herman had 
witnessed the devastation of communities and tearing asunder of 
families that resulted from the deluge of imports, and that lit the 
fire under him. His firsthand experience and knowledge led him to 
devote the rest of his life to fighting to save our manufacturing base.
  In his position as Director of Research for the I.L.G.W.U., Herman 
was at the forefront of every major trade debate of the last decade. 
When Herman spoke, he spoke with authority. He did not live in the 
esoteric world of economic modeling; he possessed the conviction of one 
who understands how the real world operates in this era of global 
competition.
  We will miss his vigor, his humor, his encyclopedic knowledge and his 
endearing charm. On behalf of Peatsy and my staff, I would like to 
express our deepest sympathies to his wife Carol and his daughter 
Christina. Herman was a true champion of the people, and it was an 
honor to have known him.

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