[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO RABBI SHIMON AND CAROL PASKOW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 1998

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Shimon 
Paskow and his wife Carol for their lifetime support of the State of 
Israel.
  Cicero once observed how ``dear, sweet and pleasing to us all is the 
soil of our native land.'' Rabbi Shimon and Carol Paskow have served 
both the United States and Israel with uncompromising loyalty and 
unending energy. This year, in recognition of their efforts, Rabbi 
Shimon Paskow and his wife Carol will be awarded the Golden Shofar 
Award by the State of Israel Bonds. Together, they have led thousands 
of people to Israel, helping these individuals and their families 
create a bond to the Jewish homeland that will last a lifetime.
  Throughout his exemplary career, Rabbi Shimon has done outstanding 
work for the Jewish community at home and abroad. In 1960, Rabbi Shimon 
entered the United States Army and served as a Jewish chaplain in 
France and Germany and was honored by the Commanding General of the 
Fourth Logistical Command and the National Jewish Welfare Board. Later, 
he served as Deputy Command Chaplain in Alaska and the Reserve Jewish 
Chaplain for Tipler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. In 1993, he was 
decorated by the United States Army with the Meritorious Service Award.
  Returning to California, Rabbi Shimon has enriched the lives of 
hundreds of teenagers, college students, and young couples through his 
community involvement. He has served as the spiritual leader of Temple 
Etz Chaim for almost 30 years, and under his guidance the temple has 
grown by leaps and bounds, expanding membership from just under 100 
families in 1969 to just over 700 families today. But Rabbi Shimon's 
influence has not been bound by temple walls. He has reached out to 
Jewish communities in both Ventura County and across the country. As a 
member of the Community Relations Committee of the San Fernando Valley 
Area Council, he was appointed by the Mayor to serve on a Community 
Advisory Committee. He was one of the first activists instrumental in 
gaining interest in the plight of Russian Jews. Through this effort, 
Rabbi Paskow has helped thousands of Jews escape Russian persecution 
and migrate to Israel and other Western countries.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, as we near the celebration of 
Israel's 50th anniversary as a free and independent state, please join 
me in paying tribute to Rabbi Shimon and Carol Paskow for their 
volunteerism on behalf of the State of Israel and its people.

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