[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1073-E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF HUMANITARIAN SIDNEY WEINER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize a significant milestone in the life of Sidney 
Weiner. On June 22, 1999, Sidney was presented the 17th annual 
Humanitarian Award by Congregation Kodimoh. Sidney Weiner has spent his 
life volunteering on behalf of many organizations in the community, and 
I would like to make note today of his many accomplishments.
  Sidney was born in Worcester, MA, but moved to Springfield as a 
teenager. He attended Springfield public schools and eventually married 
Gert Levi at the old Kodimoh on Oakland St. in 1947. He operated many 
successful service stations and worked as an insurance agent before 
retiring in 1972.
  Sidney's volunteer service, in his adult life, has been unparalleled. 
He was a volunteer for the Pioneer Valley Red Cross, through which he 
recruited countless blood donors. He has also practiced what he has 
preached, being a 10 gallon donor himself. Sidney is a 32d degree mason 
and has been Master of the Chicopee Lodge and District Deputy Grand 
Master of the Chicopee 18th Masonic District. Since joining the Melha 
Temple Shrine in 1959, Sidney has chaired their blood program. He has

[[Page E1074]]

also brought smiles to countless children through his membership and 
participation in the Melha Clown Unit.
  Sidney has been a volunteer at Baystate Medical Center for nearly 20 
years. In 1990, he was elected the first male president of the Baystate 
Medical Center Auxiliary. Sidney has also been involved with the Ronald 
McDonald House. In fact, his involvement began even before the house 
was built almost 10 years ago. He has held many various titles there, 
and is currently the president of the board of directors. For the past 
3 years, Sidney has been chairman of Parking for the Rays of Hope Walk, 
which raises funds each fall for breast cancer research. He and his 
wife, Gert, also spend every Sunday in July and August volunteering at 
Tanglewood. Sidney is a long-time member of Kodimoh and its 
Brotherhood, and is a regular minyanaire. He has also been a regular 
volunteer on various projects and committees with Kodimoh. Sidney and 
Gert's daughter, Nancy Squires, and her husband, Bill, and their three 
daughters, Maxine, Sarah, and Michelle, are also active members of 
Kodimoh.
  Mr. Speaker, allow me to pay tribute to the service, commitment, and 
character of Sidney Weiner. He has proven himself to be an 
indispensable member of his community through his service and 
leadership. Sidney Weiner is truly a role model for community 
involvement and pride in his faith. Kodimoh, and the entire Western 
Massachusetts community, has been blessed to have been touched by 
Sidney Weiner's involvement and service.

                          ____________________