[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1092-E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EUGENE AND CONNIE ROTH HONORED WITH SHOFAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my very 
good friends Gene and Connie Roth, who will receive the Shofar Award on 
June 14 from the United Hebrew Institute of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
  The shofar, or ram's horn is a religious musical instrument having 
profound significance in the Jewish religion. It constitutes an 
important part of the Jewish prayers in the synagogue during the 
festivals of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day 
of Atonement.
  The name of this award is certainly fitting. Just as the shofar plays 
an integral role in the

[[Page E1093]]

Jewish faith, so too have Gene and Connie been an integral part of the 
United Hebrew Institute family for more than 40 years. All of their 
children, Joan, Steven, Jeffery and Larry, are graduates of LJHI. Both 
Gene and Connie have served and still serve on the Board of Trustees, 
including Gene's service as chairman from 1967 to 1969. In addition, 
Connie served as president of the PTA from 1971 to 1973 and still 
serves as president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Talmud Torah.
  But UHI is far from the only Wyoming Valley institution to benefit 
from the services and talents of this dedicated couple. Among the 
organizations which have benefited from their expertise and commitment 
are the Gelsinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes University, the 
Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund, Congregation 
Ohav Zedek and its Sisterhood, the Jewish Federation, United Jewish 
Appeal, the United Way, the Osterhout Library, the Jewish Home, Queen 
Esther Hebrew Ladies Aid Society, Jewish Family Service, Martin Luther 
King Committee for Social Justice and Hospice St. John.
  Mr. Speaker, both Gene and Connie are pillars of the community. Gene 
has been honored many times by groups including B'nai B'rith, the Boy 
Scouts of America, and Who's Who, among several outstanding 
organizations. For her part, Connie was named the Woman of Valor by 
Congregation Ohav Zedek and was honored by the Women's Division of the 
Jewish Campaign and by B'nai B'rith Lodge.
  The primary focus for Gene and Connie has always been their family, 
their community and the preservation of Jewish heritage. Their 
longstanding efforts on behalf of the school, their synagogue and the 
community are truly inspirational. I am pleased to call to the 
attention of the House of Representatives this well-deserved award 
being presented to Gene and Connie Roth as well as their many good 
works, and I wish them all the best.

                          ____________________