[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5280-S5281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ISADOR LOUIS KUNIAN

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Isador Louis 
Kunian, a long-time friend who passed away on March 5, 1997. Born in 
Atlanta, GA as Isador Louis Kunianski, he shortened his last name, but 
everyone who knew him called him Sonny. We are honoring Sonny not only 
because he was successful, but because he used the fruits of his 
success to help others. One of Sonny's greatest personal drives was to 
help people who wanted to help themselves. His participation in the 
education of hundreds of persons will provide a legacy to Sonny. In 
Sonny's own words, ``Providing for a person's education is the greatest 
investment that I have ever made.''
  In 1980, he established the Mildred and I.L. Kunian Scholarship Fund 
at Georgia Tech that has helped more than a hundred students pay their 
college bills. In addition, he founded the Georgia Tech Satellite 
Literacy Program, which broadcasts, via satellite

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television, adult basic education classes to over 100 classrooms in 
rural Georgia. Sonny was instrumental in securing funding for the 
program from Federal, State and foundation sources.
  Sonny was a graduate of Atlanta's Boy's High School and then Georgia 
Tech, receiving his degree in textile engineering in 1934. Sonny played 
freshman football for Georgia Tech, was on the student council and was 
a member of several honor societies. Following college, he went to work 
in the textile industry until needed by the Navy from 1943 to 1945. 
Following this, he distinguished himself in the business world as a 
past president and partner with Atlanta's Kay Developers and later his 
own real estate development company, Kunian Enterprises.
  In civic affairs, Mr. Kunian was active and held office in a number 
of organizations, including the Center for Rehabilitative Technology, 
Inc., the Georgia Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, the Atlanta 
Symphony Orchestra Association, the Southeastern Regional Board of the 
Anti-Defamation League, Families First, the American Jewish Committee, 
the Georgia Council on Adult Literacy, the Southern Regional Education 
Board and the National Jewish Welfare Board.
  Mr. President, I ask that you join me in recognizing the impact Sonny 
made on the world in which we live. He will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________