[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ELAINE AND DAVID GILL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friends, Elaine 
and David Gill, who are being honored this year by The Brandeis-Bardin 
Institute. The Brandeis-Bardin Institute opened in 1947; Elaine and 
David began their involvement in the mid-1950s, when they were students 
at UCLA. More than 40 years later, the Gills remain devoted to 
Brandeis-Bardin. They have done much during that time to help Brandeis-
Bardin in its quest to build a strong Jewish community for the present 
and the future.
  The Gills' ties to Brandeis-Bardin are social, professional, and 
familial. In 1959, the year before they were married, Elaine and David 
worked at the Institute as head counselors. Elaine has subsequently 
served as a member of the Board, chair of the Women of Brandeis-Bardin, 
and co-chair of the Brandeis-Bardin Associates. David is currently a 
member of the Board and the Executive Committee.
  The Gill children have in this case emulated their parents. Elaine 
and David have four sons; two of them, Michael and Larry, married women 
they met at Brandeis-Bardin's Camp Alonim. During a 23-year span, at 
least one and sometimes all four of Elaine and David's sons (the others 
are Daniel and Lawrence) were involved as campers or camp directors at 
Alonim. In addition, Larry currently serves on the Board of Directors.
  I don't know of any husband/wife team more active in promoting Jewish 
causes and Judaism than the Gills. David has for many years served on 
the Board and Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation and is 
active in United Jewish Fund. He also served as Los Angeles Chair of 
the United Jewish Appeal's Young Leadership Cabinet.
  Elaine was chair of the Young Women's Division of the Federation, a 
member of the Board of Jewish Family Services, and is now a museum 
docent at Skirball Cultural Center. Elaine and David have together led 
many missions to Israel.
  Both of them are active at Valley Beth Shalom, where they served as 
pararabbinic counselors and assisted in creating its Havurah program. 
Elaine is currently Vice President of Religion at Valley Beth Shalom.
  This extraordinary partnership also includes a passion for music. 
Elaine and David have each been vocal accompanists for musical 
performances at Brandeis-Bardin.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Elaine and David Gill, 
whose selflessness and devotion to our community is inspiring. I am 
proud to be their friend.

                          ____________________