[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING RABBI ALBERT MICAH LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2000

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Rabbi Albert Micah 
Lewis, who is retiring from Congregation Emanuel in my home city of 
Grand Rapids, Michigan after 28 years of leadership. Not only has he 
been a tremendous force within his congregation, Rabbi Lewis has also 
provided outstanding leadership and dedication to numerous 
organizations and projects within our community. His strong academic 
background and intellectual ability have led to national respect for 
his work and writings.
  Even though he is ending his day-to-day role at Temple Emanuel, Rabbi 
Lewis will continue to be a driving force in Grand Rapids. He will 
continue his duties as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Religion and 
Aging at Aquinas College where he has been teaching since 1972. He will 
also remain as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology and 
Gerontology at Aquinas College, and will continue on the staff at Hope 
College as an Adjunct Professor of Jewish Studies, where he has served 
since 1994.
  Rabbi Lewis' contributions to our community have been numerous and 
generous; they could easily fill many pages in the Congressional 
Record. I will highlight just a few of his many contributions. He is 
the founder and co-coordinator of Interfaith Forum for Understanding 
and Growth. He also founded and served as President of the Hospice of 
Greater Grand Rapids and the Western Michigan Chapter of the Michigan 
Society for Gerontology. In 1999 he was honored as Man of the Year by 
the Jewish Community Fund of Grand Rapids. Earlier this year, he was 
appointed to the Executive Committee of the Anti-Defamation League of 
Michigan and to the Board of Directors of the Henri Nouwen Literary 
Society. He has also authored numerous publications on a variety of 
subject matters.
  On a personal level, I have always appreciated Rabbi Lewis' moral 
presence in our community. He has thoughtfully and insistently spoken 
on behalf of issues important to us, our community, and our 
relationships with God. Such moral leadership is enormously important 
as we strive to lead the people of this nation toward our common goals 
of freedom, liberty, and respect for each other.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Rabbi Lewis for the tremendous impact he has 
had on our community. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Lewis is a 
outstanding individual committed to service to God and fellow human 
beings. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his 
contribution to society.

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