[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ZIMMERSPITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear 
friend, William Zimmerspitz, who is being honored this evening for his 
contributions to the community and his efforts on behalf of Judaism. 
Born in 1926 in Crakow, Poland, Bill survived the horrors of the 
Crakow-Plascow, Auschwitz, Rounienburg-Sachsenhausen and Mauthausen 
concentration camps during World War II.
  Arriving in America in 1949, Bill lived first in Pennsylvania. He 
served as Vice President of Congregation Ohev Zedek, and was an active 
supporter of its day school, Beth Jacob, for 13 years. Oftentimes, when 
funds were low at the day school, Bill personally provided funding to 
meet the school's expenses. Bill Zimmerspitz is justly proud of his 
service as President of the Sabbath Observance Council of Pennsylvania.
  Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is fortunate 
to number him among its dedicated Board members. At Congregation Sons 
of Israel, Bill takes an active part in various charitable efforts, 
most notable of which is the Gernilot Chesed fund, of which he was 
Chairman. Through this fund, those in need secure loans at favorable 
rates of interest.
  As Chairman of the Cherry Hill Political Action Committee, Bill has 
provided outstanding leadership and much time and effort to influence 
U.S. policy on many issues of importance. Members of the U.S. Congress, 
governors and other government officials have been better able to do 
their jobs because of his extensive efforts.
  Bill has served for several years on New Jersey's Commission of 
Holocaust Education, for which he spent a great deal of time traveling 
the State of New Jersey providing a vivid ``verbal picture'' of life in 
the ghetto and of his deep hope and belief that events such as these 
should never happen again.
  Bill's reputation as a noted lecturer, teaching today's youth of the 
devastating consequences of hatred cannot be overemphasized. 
Unfortunately, health problems have surfaced which cause him to be 
unable to carry out the rigorous schedule he believes is necessary to 
continue his mission.
  Mr. Zimmerspitz met his wife, Nancy, while living in Philadelphia, 
and there founded the W-Z Jewelry Company. Bill and Nancy have two 
daughters, Faye and Rochelle, and five grandchildren, of whom they are 
very proud. Three grandchildren, Aviva, Ricky and Ami live in Israel 
while two grandchildren, Jennifer and Ricky, live in Clifton, New 
Jersey.
  While his contributions to Holocaust education will surely be missed, 
I am pleased to pay tribute to William Zimmerspitz, a true gentleman 
and one of the finest human beings I have ever had the privilege of 
knowing. A finer man you will never meet.

                          ____________________