[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELIAS KARMON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to and wish a happy 
90th birthday to Mr. Elias Karmon, an outstanding individual who has 
devoted his life to his family and to serving the community.
  Mr. Karmon served as President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for 
four consecutive terms after serving on its Boards since 1953 and 
holding the positions of Treasurer, Second Vice President and First 
Vice President. His dinner attendance record of 930 people at the 
Chamber's annual dinner in 1979, with David Rockefeller as the guest of 
honor, has never been equaled.
  Mr. Speaker, along with Dr. Ramon S. Velez and Michael Munoz, Mr. 
Karmon created the South Bronx Board of Trade, an organization aiding 
the businesses of the borough, particularly minority-owned enterprises. 
Today, as honorary Chairman, he still continues his activities with the 
organization. As Chairman of the Building Fund Committee of the Bronx 
Board of Realtors, Karmon was instrumental in negotiating the purchase 
of its present building in 1992. Karmon is also the Chairman of the 
Annual Essay Contest, a contest he initiated in 1975 among students of 
the public and private high schools in the Bronx and in Manhattan, for 
the Bronx-Manhattan Association of Realtors.
  A civic leader in the Bronx for 60 years, Karmon has been active in 
many business, civic, health, service and humanitarian organizations. 
To name a few, in 1949 he founded the Prospect Avenue and Neighborhood 
Businessmen's Association, Inc. and served as its president for 12 
years. In 1954 Karmon served as Chairman of the Bronx Urban League 
Advisory Board, being a founding member of the Bronx Branch. His 
involvement with Einstein College began around 1955 with the 
organizational committee that brought about this College of Medicine. 
Karmon and his late wife, Sylvia, are members of the Albert Einstein 
College of Medicine. One of the founders of the Ponce de Leon Federal 
Bank in 1959, he stills serves on the board and is presently its 
Treasurer.
  Mr. Speaker, Karmon is currently President of EMK Enterprises, Inc., 
a real estate firm located on Prospect Avenue Since 1904. He takes 
pride in never having left our beloved South Bronx. He is listed in 
Who's Who in American Jewry.
  The business, professional, religious and civic organizations to 
which he has belonged and continues to belong, like the honors and 
awards he has received, are almost beyond counting. Few men of business 
of the 20th century have been so honored for so many things. Mr. Karmon 
is a talented leader who will continue to show us dedication, 
leadership, and wisdom. He is truly a source of inspiration to all who 
know him.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing a happy 90th 
birthday to Elias Karmon.

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