[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ROFEH INTERNATIONAL HONORS DR. SUMNER SLAVIN AND MR. ALLEN RODMAN

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                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased once again to 
call the attention of my colleagues to the excellent work that is 
performed by ROFEH International in Brookline, Massachusetts, and to 
join with ROFEH in recognizing two outstanding individuals, Dr. Sumner 
Slavin, and Mr. Allen Rodman, for the work they do in the context of 
ROFEH.
  ROFEH is sponsored by the New England Chassidic Center, and owes its 
creation and its ongoing inspiration to the Grand Rabbi Levi Horowitz, 
widely known as the Bostoner Rebbe.
  Rabbi Horowitz, in addition to his religious scholarship, is a leader 
in the field of medical ethics, and he is widely respected for his work 
in this area. And when I talk of Rabbi Horowitz's work in the medical 
ethics area, I speak not simply of intellectual activity, but of 
practical efforts, exemplified by Project ROFEH. This important 
activity brings people from all over the world to Boston so that they 
can benefit from the outstanding level of medical knowledge and skill 
which is available in Boston to a degree greater than almost anywhere 
else in the world. As we know, good medical care has two parts--the 
first of course being the existence of high quality care; but the 
second being access to that care, which is, sadly, very unevenly 
distributed. ROFEH International does an excellent job in extending 
access to people who would not have it otherwise, and I salute Rabbi 
Horowitz and his colleagues for this work. Indeed, I use this occasion 
to publicize this effort in the Congressional Record not simply because 
it is worthy of recognition, but because it is even more worthy of 
emulation, and I hope through this means to stimulate some interest in 
this notion because it is an activity that could be repeated elsewhere. 
And I know that Rabbi Horowitz and his colleagues would be glad to 
share with others if asked what they do and how it could be replicated.
  This year, on November 7, the annual dinner of ROFEH and the New 
England Chassidic Center will take place, and at that time, the 1999 
Man of the Year award will be presented to Allen Rodman.
  Mr. Rodman is a leading member of the Bar in Malden, Massachusetts, 
and among his other distinctions, he has been a strong supporter of the 
work of the New England Chassidic Center--work which stretched through 
five generations of his family. The family affiliation is particularly 
strong through his mother, Cecile, who is a close friend of Rabbi and 
Rebbetzin Horowitz. In his 45 years as a member of the Bar, Mr. Rodman 
has undertaken notable legal efforts, including important work in 
asbestos litigations, and in the extremely significant class action 
litigation launched against the tobacco companies five years ago.
  The Lillian and Harry Andler Memorial Award will be given on that day 
to Dr. Sumner Slavin. Dr. Slavin and his family similarly have a long 
association with the Rebbe, and he has been very active in the work of 
the New England Chassidic Center. His distinguished medical career has 
been marked by a number of awards, and he is now representing the Beth 
Israel Deaconess Medical Center on the Executive Council for the new 
Harvard Medical School Program in Plastic Surgery. He has been 
recognized for his expertise in the important and sensitive area of 
breast reconstruction and has been a leader as well in the efforts to 
combat lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the limbs after 
cancer treatment. Dr. Slavin and Mr. Rodman are leaders in their 
respective professional fields, and leaders as well in contributing to 
the great work of the New England Chassidic Center and Project ROFEH. 
The honor they receive from these very distinguished institutions is a 
high one, and reflective of their willingness to work hard for the 
welfare of others. I am glad to join in pointing to them, and to ROFEH 
International as examples of the way in which citizens can reach out to 
others in need.

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