[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E386-E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF GARY A. POLIAKOFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gary A. Poliakoff, 
soon to be awarded the Learned Hand Human Relations award by the 
American Jewish Committee. This prestigious award is given annually to 
members of the legal profession, and there could be no better candidate 
that embodies the spirit of the award than Gary Poliakoff. Gary's work 
on co-ownership housing personifies the thoughtful and humane spirit of 
Judge Hand, one of the most distinguished scholars in American 
jurisprudence.
  Recognized internationally as an expert in co-ownership housing, 
Gary's contributions to this important legal field epitomize the ideals 
on which this award is based. After receiving his law degree from the 
University of Miami in 1969, Gary established his strong roots in the 
South Florida community as founding principal of Becker and Poliakoff, 
P.A. Serving as President of the firm since its inception, Gary has 
dedicated much time and effort to become an authority on co-ownership 
housing. He has provided his expertise to State legislatures, Senate 
Committees, and the White House, helping to draft legislation and 
addressing concerns regarding the sale, development, and operation of 
condominiums. Additionally, he has lectured internationally, addressing 
the Parliament of the Czech Republic on issues relating to the 
conversion of State housing to private ownership, as well as the 
Russian Academy of Jurisprudence in Moscow on co-ownership issues.
  Serving on the Board of Governors of the Shepard Broad Law Center of 
Nova Southeastern University, Gary shares his wealth of knowledge on 
co-ownership housing through his course on Condominium Law and 
Practice. He has served as chairman of the State Advisory Council on 
Condominiums and as a board member of the Board of Governors of the 
College of Community Association of Lawyers. Finally, Gary is an 
accomplished author, creating a national treatise, The Law of 
Condominium Operations, West Group 1998, and co-authoring Florida 
Condominium Law and Practice for the Florida Bar Association.
  Aside from his wealth of knowledge and experience in the legal 
profession, Mr. Poliakoff

[[Page E387]]

is a known leader in philanthropic and community causes in South 
Florida. Serving as Chairman of the Southeast Region of the American 
Jewish Committee for the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and 
as a pro bono counsel to the Miami Youth Museum, Gary recognizes the 
importance of community spirit and dedicates a good part of his time to 
the betterment of society.
  Mr. Speaker, Gary Poliakoff has shown a tireless devotion to both his 
profession and his community. I could not think of a more deserving 
recipient of this prestigious award. I wish to convey a heartfelt 
congratulations to Gary, his wife, and his children on this special 
day, as well as many thanks to him for his work on behalf of the entire 
South Florida Community.

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