[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PAYING TRIBUTE TO SARA AND SIMHA LAINER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 21, 1997

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sara and 
Simha Lainer, close friends of mine for more than 40 years and people 
passionately dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish community of Los 
Angeles. This year the couple are receiving the Lifetime Humanitarian 
Achievement Award from the West Coast Friends of Bar-Ilan University in 
Israel. I cannot think of two more deserving recipients.
  Sara Lainer, a distinguished author of scholarly articles, has been 
an active volunteer on behalf of Hadassah, Pioneer Women, General 
Israel Orphans Home, the Yiddish Culture Club, and many other 
organizations. She continues to lecture in Hebrew and Yiddish to groups 
in Los Angeles, and she holds an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew 
Theological College, Jewish University of America. Her commitment to 
the intellectual and spiritual components of Judaism is extraordinary.
  Simha Lainer, who ran a successful real estate business in the San 
Fernando Valley, is a strong supporter of, and a dedicated volunteer 
with, the University of Judaism, the Jewish Community Foundation, the 
ADL, and West Coast Friends of the Hebrew University. Anyone who cares 
about the Jewish community of Los Angeles owes a huge thanks to him.
  In 1989, the Lainers established the Simha and Sara Lainer Fund for 
Jewish Education, which has thus far awarded $290,000 in scholarships 
to 400 children around the city. I can think of nothing more important 
than ensuring Judaism remains vibrant and alive in Los Angeles.
  Simha and Sara raised three sons, Mark, Nahum, and Luis, who have 
followed in the tradition of their parents in working hard on behalf of 
their community. I am indeed lucky to be good friends with all three, 
as well as their wives, Ellie, Alice, and Lee.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Sara and 
Simha Lainer, whose tireless efforts to make this a better world 
inspire us all.

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