[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 139 (Sunday, October 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2017-E2018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN MEMORY OF RONALD RONNY FINGER AS THE COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL 2000 BACK 
                         TO SCHOOL GALA HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Sunday, October 29, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the memory of an 
extraordinary man, Ronald Jack ``Ronny'' Finger of Houston, whom is 
being honored posthumously at the Communities in School Back To School 
Gala in Houston, Texas on November 4, 2000. His passing was a 
tremendous loss for his family, including his wife Linda and their 
three children, Scott, Jan, and Cristina, and his friends. But, we are 
all richer in spirit and community for the time he was with us.
  A distinguished businessman and dedicated community advocate, Ronny 
Finger contributed in countless ways to building a better future for 
Houston, especially the city's Jewish community, the arts, and 
education.
  Born in Houston to Hyman and Bessie Finger, he graduated in 1960 from 
the University of Texas and served as a lieutenant in the Navy. Two 
years later, he joined his brothers Marvy and Jerry in the Finger Cos., 
a major developer of real estate and multifamily housing. During the 
1970s he was the president of the Houston and Texas Apartment 
Associations and Vice President of the National Apartment Association.
  Ronny became fervently involved with Communities in School (CIS) 
after visiting the CIS

[[Page E2018]]

program at Austin High School in 1992. He was so impressed by the 
effectiveness of this program he joined the CIS Board of Directors in 
1994, and he and his wife, Linda, underwrote the CIS program at Key 
Middle School from 1997 to 2000. The CIS Dropout Prevention Program 
provides children with needed school supplies, tutoring, family 
counseling or assistance, or a safe haven during the after-school 
hours. During the 1999-2000 school year, 74 Houston area schools 
participated in the CIS program and served nearly 29,000 at-risk 
children. These students had a 98 percent graduation rate, a 98 percent 
stay in school rate, and 80 percent saw a marked improvement in 
academics, behavior, and/or attendance.
  Ronny Finger was also a dedicated and valuable member of the Museum 
of Natural Science Society, Houston Symphony Society, Anti-Defamation 
League, Houston Women's Area Center, and the Salvation Army. And, he 
was a dear friend to my family and me. Mr. Speaker, I honor the memory 
of Ronny Finger. He is missed, but his commitment to our youth and 
community live on as a tribute to his life.

                          ____________________