[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM KATZBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Katzberg 
for being honored by the Middle East Network on the occasion of his 
1,000th weekly, consecutive column for the Jewish Journal. For the past 
20 years, William Katzberg has provided his readers fair and objective 
literary works on issues relating to Israel and the Jewish community. 
His journalistic contribution stems from his dedication to 
straightforward journalism and enduring love for the State of Israel.
  In 1987, the Middle East Network in south Florida, formerly known as 
the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, was 
concerned about erroneous news reports the American public was 
receiving regarding the Arab Infatada. The media reporting from the 
Middle East had fabricated the news in an attempt to capture America's 
interest in the battle transpiring in the Middle East. The media's 
deception was widely considered as a war of information--a war as 
devastating as the war being fought between Israel and the Arabs 
because it was turning world opinion against Israel. The Middle East 
Network held an organizational meeting to put an end to the fictitious 
news reports and generate fair and impartial reporting regarding 
Israel. William Katzberg was an invited guest because of his 
journalistic integrity and support of Israel. He immediately recognized 
the grave impact of the deceptive reports and called on the Jewish 
Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale to help promote accuracy in 
Middle East reporting.
  Over the years, William Katzberg has written a great deal about 
Israel and the Jewish community. His column appears in the Jewish 
Journal, and, on occasion, in the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale 
Sun-Sentinel. He has become quite popular among residents in south 
Florida as a media journalist, a speaker, and a leader. In addition to 
his column, William Katzberg has helped organize mass meetings for the 
Middle East Network, has acted as a meeting moderator, and has produced 
a series of documentary films on Israel including: ``Israel Under 
Siege,'' ``the Hope, the Struggle, and the Miracle,'' ``From Ellis 
Island to Jerusalem,'' and ``Israel, Between Terror and Peace.'' These 
films have been shown to synagogues, churches, and colleges and 
universities in south Florida to help increase awareness of Israel and 
her people.
  William Katzberg remains actively involved in the Jewish community in 
south Florida. He is a member of the board of directors and on the 
executive advisory community of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort 
Lauderdale. Through his involvement at the federation, he has helped to 
raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the United Jewish Appeal. He 
also participates in leading group trips to Israel for the Jewish 
Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale and for the Temple Beth Torah, 
where he is also a member of the board of directors. His activity in 
both Jewish affairs and journalism has earned him a seat on the Jewish 
Telegraph Agency Board of Directors as well.
  I wish William Katzberg the best on receiving this prestigious honor 
from the Middle East Network. I know he will continue to be an 
effective voice and journalist for the Jewish community in south 
Florida and in Israel.

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