[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E486-E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO JACOB H. ``BUD'' BLITZER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory 
of Jacob H. ``Bud'' Blitzer. Bud was a man of integrity and tremendous 
resilience, who used his creativity, intelligence, humor, and a sense 
of fairness to navigate through a life of great challenges.
  A victim of polio at age 27, Bud--never one for self-pity--became a 
successful businessman, consultant, educator, mentor, and all around 
mensch. Most important to him were the relationships he cultivated with 
family, friends, the I Have a Dream Foundation, and the many people 
fortunate enough to know him.
  But, with his brother-in-law Len Milner, founded Integrated Ceilings, 
Inc., specializing in innovative architectural custom ceiling designs. 
He held many patents for designs which have enhanced numerous office 
buildings, retail stores, and homes. These innovations inspired an 
entire industry of ceiling design. He ran his company with the highest 
standards of honesty, quality, and excellence. This commitment was 
reflected by the employees of the company who were loyal and proud of 
their product and most of whom remained with the company throughout the 
entire time that Bud was its president and CEO.
  But did not limit himself to his company. He also served as a mentor 
for many young entrepreneurs as they began their businesses as well as 
many people who were struggling with the challenges of life. One 
notable example was Tom Greene of the T.A. Greene Co., of whom Bud was 
known to have said, ``I started out helping Tom, but in the end, it was 
he who helped me.''
  Bud was a jazz drummer in his youth, served as an officer in the Army 
Air Corps, and was founder and president of the Lightrend Co., prior to 
founding Integrated Ceilings, Inc. An avid sailor and a jazz 
enthusiast, a conversationalist par excellence, Bud's

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greatest gift was to make each person he spoke with feel special.
  Our thoughts are with Bud's family: his wife Dalia; children Jamie 
and Rob, along with his wife Donna; sisters Barbara and Susan and their 
husbands George and Len; grandchildren Rebecca and Erica; two great 
grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many friends who were part of the 
extended family.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in remembering 
a great friend and outstanding individual, Jacob ``Bud'' Blitzer.

                          ____________________