[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO M.B. ``DUKE'' RUDMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I rise today to 
call the attention of our colleagues to the remarkable life of an east 
Texas oil pioneer and philanthropist who was recently honored as one of 
50 worldwide recipients of the State of Israel's 50th Anniversary 
Award.
  Mr. M.B. ``Duke'' Rudman was born 87 years ago in Bonham, TX, and 
while drilling thousands of wildcat oil wells from North Dakota to 
Texas and from California to Florida during 60 years in the oil 
business, he also gained quite a reputation for his devotion to health 
and fitness and his work as a motivational speaker.
  But none of his lifetime accomplishments have proven as rewarding as 
his civic and philanthropic activities. He has said many times that he 
wants to be remembered more for what he has done for others, not for 
anything he has done for himself.
  He is 1 of 50 persons worldwide to receive the 50th Anniversary Award 
for his lifetime of extraordinary efforts on behalf of the State of 
Israel. He will take part in a November 22 gala at the United Nations 
in New York to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the November 1947 U.N. 
vote that partitioned the land of Israel.
  Last Sunday was M.B. ``Duke'' Rudman Day in Tyler and Smith County, 
TX. Many of his east Texas friends and neighbors gathered in Tyler to 
recognize his contributions to Israel and to his native Texas. They 
made it clear that Israel's progress as a nation and a democracy could 
not have happened without people like Duke Rudman. He has helped fund 
student educations and purchased a fleet of 83 ambulances for that 
nation's emergency personnel in addition to a host of other 
philanthropic endeavors.
  Mr. Rudman is well known throughout east Texas for his association 
with the oil industry. He attended Kemper Military Academy and the 
University of Oklahoma. He moved to east Texas in 1931 during the oil 
boom and relocated to Dallas in 1942. Wherever he has gone, he has 
endeavored to help communities prosper. Recently, he donated land to 
the city of Tyler for a public park.
  Those of us who know Duke Rudman are gratified that he is finally 
receiving the praise and recognition that he has forever shunned. He 
says he gets more pleasure from helping others than do those he has 
helped.
  East Texas. American patriot. Friend of Israel. Duke Rudman's 
goodwill toward his fellow man throughout his lifetime reflects his 
generosity and his love for the human race. We are proud to know him 
and to call him our friend.

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