[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 118 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO IRA FREEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 1999

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Sherman, and I, rise to 
pay tribute to our good friend, Ira Freeman, who is this year's 
recipient of the Annual Achievement Award from Action Democrats of the 
San Fernando Valley. Ira Freeman has built his life on the proposition 
that we are put on earth to help others. The list of organizations, 
associations and causes that have benefitted from Ira's tireless 
activism is almost as enormous as his heart. We have no idea how he has 
managed--for nearly 40 years--to balance his busy and distinguished 
career with his myriad civic and political activities.
  In 1964, Ira opened Key Pharmacy--a community resource pharmacy--in 
North Hollywood. While building a very successful business, he also 
played a leadership role within his profession. From 1972 to the 
present, Ira has served as a board member of the Pharmacists 
Professional Society of the San Fernando Valley. He is a member, a 
past-Treasurer and a past-President of the statewide Pharmacists 
Political Action Committee and from 1996 to 1998 was Chief Financial 
Officer of the United Pharmacists Network.
  A tireless booster of his community, Ira served as President of the 
Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1985 and again in 1988. He has been a 
member of the Sun Valley Chamber Board for 14 years, and was appointed 
by Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg to his Small Business Advisory Commission.
  Ira loves politics. He is a voter, contributor, fund raiser, 
volunteer and unofficial advisor. Virtually every campaign in the San 
Fernando Valley has benefitted from Ira's hard work and generosity. He 
has served on the Leadership Council of the Democratic Party of the San 
Fernando Valley, and is a member of Action Democrats, Democrats for 
Change and the Sherman Oaks Democratic Club.
  Ira gives his talents and resources to charitable causes ranging from 
AIDS to Diabetes. He is a contributing member to The Executives, a 
support group for the Jewish Home for the Aging and works with the Fair 
Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley.
  Ira has been awarded the Circle of Friends Award by the Juvenile 
Justice Connection Project (1987), the Dareen McDonald Award from the 
Independent Living Centers of Southern California (1994) and the Helen 
and Sam Greenberg Award, as well as recognition from the California 
Pharmacists and the Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce.
  We ask our colleagues to join us in saluting Ira Freeman, whose 
selfless acts and dedication to this community inspire us all. We are 
proud to be his friend.

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