[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S8302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HENRY PESTKA

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a man who has 
overcome great adversity to become a pillar of his community, Henry 
Pestka of Grand Rapids, MI.
  Henry Pestka was born in Poland on July 29, 1922, the son of Saul and 
Marie Pestka. Saul Pestka was a builder and developer who taught his 
son his craft. After the Nazi occupation of Poland, Henry was interned 
in a number of concentration camps, including the notorious Auschwitz 
Death Camp.
  In 1944, Pestka and two other prisoners escaped during a forced death 
march, and were found by members of the Free French Army. Henry joined 
the Polish Battalion of the Free French Army. He has the unique 
distinction of being not only one of the few survivors of Auschwitz 
Death Camp, but also a decorated combat veteran of the Allied cause in 
the Second World War. Tragically, both his parents and siblings 
perished. Henry was the only survivor.
  In 1946, at the urging of his only living relatives, Henry immigrated 
to the United States and settled in Grand Rapids, MI. When Henry 
arrived, he could not speak English. He enrolled in night classes at 
Union High School and was given employment by a friend of his father's 
from Poland. In short, Henry came to the United States without money, 
with a very limited family, and unable to speak English.
  In December 1948, Henry married Beatrice Bergman. Prior to the 
marriage, Henry had started working at Bergman Auto Supplies, selling 
auto parts and installing seat covers. In the late 1950's, Henry and 
his partner, Herman Bergman, began purchasing and developing property 
using the lessons gleaned from his father as a boy in Poland. For the 
past 40 years, Henry has developed shopping centers, office buildings, 
restaurants, apartment complexes, and industrial buildings. He has 
worked with major companies, both in the Grand Rapids area and across 
the United States.
  Henry's proudest achievement was his tenure as building chairman for 
Congregation Ahavas Israel. He devoted a year of his life to this 
project and served without fee. Ultimately, in 1971, the beautiful 
structure was completed. At the time, Henry was honored by the Grand 
Rapids mayor, Bob Boelens, and by the entire congregation. In the foyer 
of the synagogue is an affecting mural depicting the 6 million innocent 
victims of Nazi genocide. In his own way, Henry has contributed not 
only to the memory of those who perished, but also built an institution 
to serve future generations including his own grandchildren.
  Henry's philanthropy is legendary, particularly toward those 
institutions fighting bigotry or helping the sick and disabled. Among 
the organizations which he has consistently supported are the Anti-
Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the U.S. Holocaust 
Museum, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, 
the Arthritis Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and the 
Salvation Army. On a local level, Henry has supported Hope Network, 
Project Rehab, and many, many others.
  His life has been a testament to overcoming horrific adversity and 
prevailing. He has built a uniquely American life, for which he can be 
forever proud. I know that my Senate colleague will join me in honoring 
Henry Pestka.

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