[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 105 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE TO PETER B. LEWIS AND DANIEL R. LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 11, 2000

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, there is a growing concern in the 
global community that the United States may be drifting into increasing 
isolationism and that the American people are largely disinterested in 
what happens outside the borders of their own country. I am very proud 
to highlight two individuals, brothers named Peter B. Lewis and Daniel 
R. Lewis, who are shining examples of individual American's interest 
and concern for people in need in other countries and their willingness 
to stand up and make a difference.
  Peter B. Lewis, a resident of Cleveland and one of my constituents, 
and his brother Daniel R. Lewis have dedicated a great deal of their 
own time and resources to promoting peace in the Middle East. They have 
worked hard to lay the groundwork for peaceful coexistence among the 
national, religious and ethnic groups in the Greater Cleveland Area.
  The Lewis brothers have worked in conjunction with Interns for Peace 
to develop and implement innovative community development projects that 
bring together Israelis and Palestinians to work on issues of common 
concern.
  To date, the largest project initiated by the Lewis brothers is the 
Rabbi Albert Manilla Lewis Saving Human Life Project, which has 
empowered and united thousands of Palestinians and Israelis in public 
safety issues. The program has identified road safety as an area of 
common concern among all sectors of society in Israel and Palestinian 
areas. Using this common ground, the Rabbi Lewis Program has brought 
together individuals from different communities to work toward the 
common goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities. Perhaps most 
impressive, this program works across the complete spectrum of society 
in the region with a heavy emphasis on individuals from Palestinian 
refugee camps and in Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel.
  The Lewis brothers' choice of mechanisms for engendering cooperation 
and understanding is no accident. They know a thing or two about 
automobile safety. The Lewises founded one of the largest insurance 
companies in the United States, Progressive Insurance, which is based 
in northern Ohio and provides automobile insurance to millions of 
Americans.
  The work of Peter Lewis and Daniel Lewis is making a difference in 
the Middle East at a critical time. The program they have created works 
to promote peaceful co-existence and mutual respect, despite the 
cultural and historic differences of the communities involved. This is 
a parallel and complimentary track to the formal peace negotiations 
underway and important groundwork for any peace agreement that may be 
reached.
  I commend Peter Lewis and Daniel Lewis for their insight, compassion, 
and creativity in seeking to make the world a better and safer place 
for people today and for future generations. It is through people like 
the Lewises--ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things--that our 
country has prospered and become a global leader and a beacon of hope 
for people across the globe.
  Thank you for your commitment and dedication to others, and good luck 
in your future efforts to promote peace and understanding in the Middle 
East.

                          ____________________