[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING I. PHILIP SIPSER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, on November 8, 1998, I. Philip Sipser will be 
honored with a Lifetime Struggle and Achievement Award by the citizens 
of Central Brooklyn; however, he is a trailblazing labor relations 
attorney and a creative negotiator whose work has far-reaching 
significance for the nation and our entire society.
  I. Philip Sipser is the senior partner in the law firm of Sipser, 
Weinstock, Harper and Dorn, L.L.P. with outstanding credentials and 
achievements in his profession. He must also be celebrated for his 
leadership as an advocate for the empowerment of ordinary people and 
the unheralded strategist for numerous worthwhile social and political 
causes. Now eighty years old and still searching for worthy candidates 
to support, he has always labored for no concrete rewards and performed 
for beyond the call of duty. Beyond his own personal involvement there 
are also the contributions of his wife, Martha, and their four 
children: Henry, William, Margaret Liebowitz, and Jane Kaplan.
  In the typical Sipser tradition, he recently co-sponsored an 
exploratory discussion meeting with a possible Year 2000 Presidential 
candidate. Two decades ago it was Sipser's leadership of the 
bravehearted Frank Barbaro Campaign for mayor which fostered the 
alliance with Major Owens and the Central Brooklyn empowerment leaders. 
That campaign created the embryonic movement which later mushroomed and 
cemented the victories of Owens for Congress and Mario Cuomo for 
Governor. His role as the Campaign Manager of the Paul O'Dwyer for 
Senate Campaign in 1968 is better known; however, his outreach to 
minority community leaders of the 80's was a major factor in the 
impressive Jesse Jackson for President Campaign and the victorious 
David Dinkins for Mayor Campaign.
  Under Sipser's tutelage new bonds were cemented between community 
empowerment activist and union leaders. For a long time he has been 
counsel and advisor to Local 420. Local 420, the municipal hospital 
workers, Jim Butler and his members represent the workers near the 
bottom of the wage structure who live in Central Brooklyn and other 
similar communities. Their victories in the fights against layoffs and 
the privatization of the hospitals could not have been possible without 
the creative legal maneuvers of I. Philip Sipser.
  In addition to the hospital workers, among his clients are the auto 
workers, iron workers, social workers, film editors, brewery and soft 
drink workers, museum employees, opera and symphony musicians. Sipser 
is a member of the New York Bar Association; the American Arbitration 
Association's Commercial Panel of Arbitrators; past President of the 
Westchester Chapter of the American Jewish Congress; and past President 
of the Mental Illness Foundation.
  At a time when the ranks of organized labor are shrinking, Sipser has 
opened a new frontier with the organization of the symphony and opera 
musicians. The future organization of doctors, scientists and other 
professionals and technicians has become more likely as a result of 
these pioneering efforts. In connection with his representation of 
musicians, Donal Henahan, Music Critic of the New York Times wrote:


       Mr. Sipser is a New York labor lawyer who has already 
     earned himself a mention in the history of American music. He 
     is the Moses who has led the symphony and opera musicians of 
     this country to within sight of the promised land of milk and 
     honey, after their years of wandering in the deserts of short 
     seasons, low pay and no vacations.


  His story has never been appropriately told in headlines or on the 
television screen; however, within the ranks of the Caring majority, 
the unique genius and wide ranging compassion of Phil Sipser is loudly 
trumpeted and greatly appreciated. Central Brooklyn is proud to salute 
I. Philip Sipser for his lifetime struggle and achievement.

                          ____________________