[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E969-E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. ARTHUR J. NAPARSTEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
career of a distinguished scholar and civic activist, Dr. Arthur J. 
Naparstek. On Saturday, May 30, 1998, Dr. Naparstek will be joined by 
his family and friends to celebrate his 60th birthday. It gives me 
great pleasure to wish my dear friend, Arthur, a very happy birthday.
  Dr. Arthur J. Naparstek is a nationally recognized authority and 
leading theorist on community change and community organization. Since 
1962 he has been extremely dedicated to improving the lives of those 
less fortunate by teaching others how to develop neighborhood 
strategies and coalitions to build stronger communities.
  Since 1983, Dr. Naparstek has been the Coyle Professor of Social Work 
at the School for Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve 
University in Cleveland where he served as Dean for nearly a decade. As 
Director of the Cleveland Foundation Commission on Poverty from 1990 to 
1993, Dr. Naparstek initiated the drafting of the commission's report 
which served as the basis for HUD's $2.6 billion Urban Revitalization 
Demonstration Act (HOPE VI). In July 1994, in recognition of his 
service to combat inner city poverty, President Clinton appointed Dr. 
Naparstek to the Board of Trustees of the Corporation for National

[[Page E970]]

Service. Throughout his career, he has been an innovator, a reformer, a 
new idea creator. His pathbreaking research and testimony before 
Congress helped lead to passage of significant national legislation 
including: The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, The Community 
Revitalization Act, and the National Neighborhood Commission. His 
writings are prolific and span a wide range of subject areas: 
Rethinking Poverty Through a Community-Building Approach Initiative; 
Neighborhood Networks for Humane Mental Health Care; and Community 
Building: New Strategies for Community Development.
  Arthur's unmatched commitment to community service is an example of a 
true American patriot as he remains extremely active in both the public 
and private sector. He has directed the Cleveland Foundation Commission 
on Poverty, worked with the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs, 
the Rockefeller Foundation, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the White 
House Conference on Neighborhoods and many other civic organizations. 
Dr. Naparstek is also the author of numerous reports, articles, and 
books that address the importance of community building and 
development.
  Dr. Arthur Naparstek earned his doctorate from Brandeis University 
and his Master's Degree from New York University. He received his 
undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. Dr. Naparstek 
is married to Belleruth, and they are the proud parents of Aaron, 
Keila, and Abram.
  Americans all across this country should tip their hats to Dr. 
Naparstek, a lifelong prophet empowering people in our urban corridors 
to overcome poverty and hopelessness.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to wish Dr. 
Arthur Naparstek--a rare and gifted talent--a very happy birthday. 
Mazel tov.

                          ____________________