[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          TRIBUTE TO IRVING M. ROSENBAUM ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to a great man who will shortly celebrate his 80th 
birthday--Irving M. Rosenbaum. In addition to the commendable 
accomplishment of attaining the age of 80, Mr. Rosenbaum, has provided 
extraordinary commitment and leadership on behalf of the Open 
University of Israel.
  The Open University of Israel, modeled after the Open University in 
Great Britain, welcomed its first students in 1976. With a current 
enrollment of approximately 29,000 students, the Open University of 
Israel has a flexible teaching style that allows many working and older 
students the opportunity to receive a college education. Students hail 
from all over Israel and from virtually every walk of life. Utilizing 
the Internet, satellites, cable TV and other methods, the University is 
able to provide long distance learning to almost any student who 
desires it.
  Mr. Speaker, Irving Rosenbaum has played an active role in the 
University's history through the American Friends of The Open 
University of Israel. During the past thirteen years, under his astute 
leadership, the American Friends of The Open University of Israel has 
been transformed from a small group to a large organization which 
contributes significant funding annually to the University.
  Irving was born in Dresden, Germany, and with his family, he fled 
Nazi Germany and came to the United States in 1938. Here, he joined 
S.E. Nichols and Co., a variety store chain. His service at the store 
was interrupted when he served in Europe with the U.S. Army. As a 
member of the Psychological Warfare Branch, Rosenbaum participated in 
Allied war efforts in Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. After the 
war, he remained in Germany where he served as a member of the Allied 
Control Commission for Germany. When he returned to the United States 
he received a bachelors degree in Economics from the New School for 
Social Research and later earned a Masters degree, also in economics.
  Mr. Speaker, Irving Rosenbaum's commitment to Jewish and Israeli 
causes is exceptional. In addition to his leadership of the American 
Friends of the Open University of Israel, he is a member of the 
Executive Committee of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a 
Member of the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Appeal Federation 
of New York, a Member of the Executive Committee of the American 
Friends of the Israel Philharmonic, and a Member of the Board of the 
American Friends of Livnot U'Lehibanot.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in the Congress to join me in 
recognizing Irving

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Rosenbaum's years of commitment and passion for education and public 
affairs. I also invite my colleagues to join me in wishing him the 
happiest of birthdays.

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