[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO ESTHER LEAH RITZ

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                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute today to one of 
Milwaukee County's truly outstanding citizens, Esther Leah Ritz. As the 
Jewish Community Centers Association of Milwaukee prepares to honor Ms. 
Ritz with the Community Builders Award, for her multitude of 
contributions to our community, I would like to take a moment to 
reflect on the remarkable achievements of this great woman.
  Esther Leah Ritz has been nationally recognized for her unfailing and 
tireless commitment to working for the betterment of Milwaukee County, 
the State of Wisconsin, and the entire Nation. Esther Leah has held 
major leadership positions in her Milwaukee Jewish Community Center, 
Federation, and the Jewish Community Center movement in North America. 
During her presidency, the Jewish Community Centers Association 
launched and began implementing the innovative and acclaimed Commission 
on Maximizing the Effectiveness of Jewish Education which established 
Jewish Community Centers as full partners in the community process of 
promoting formal and informal Jewish education and continuity.
  Esther Leah has also provided skilled leadership for many other 
Jewish organizations including Americans For Peace Now, Council For 
Initiatives In Jewish Education, Council of Jewish Federations, 
Jerusalem Center For Public Affairs, Jewish Agency For Israel, Joint 
Distribution Committee, Mandel Institute For Advanced Study and 
Development of Jewish Education, Shalom Harman Institute of Israel, and 
the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers.
  In addition to her excellent work on behalf of so many Jewish 
organizations in our community, Esther Leah Ritz' influence has been 
felt far and wide. She was worked diligently for the betterment of key 
Wisconsin institutions such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Institute 
for Wisconsin's Future, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, and the 
Milwaukee Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the Jewish Community Centers Association on 
its excellent selection of Esther Leah Ritz for the distinguished 
Community Builders Award. I wish Esther Leah continued success in all 
of her endeavors.

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