[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1144]]
                       HONORING SIDNEY PERMISSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the achievements of 
Sidney Permisson, an outstanding and dynamic member of Broward County 
whose numerous contributions will leave a lasting effect on the Sunrise 
community. Mr. Permisson, who passed away on May 13, 2001, was a civic 
activist in Broward County for over twenty years.
   Sidney Permisson was born on February 28, 1916, and raised in 
Brooklyn, NY. He completed two years of studies at Brooklyn College 
before he had to leave school to help support his parents. Mr. 
Permisson worked at a Brooklyn bakery for eight years and eventually 
became a delegate for the Cake Bakers Union, Local 51. During this time 
he married Pauline Kravitz, his wife of 62 years. His work in the union 
eventually led him to become a mediator and a labor chief, where he 
stood up for hard-working men and women with no political clout or 
financial influence. Sidney Permisson retired in 1975 and moved to 
Sunrise, Florida.
   Upon his arrival, Mr. Permisson quickly became active in the 
community. As his two daughters, Joyce Japelle and Elayna Finkle, will 
tell you, he believed in hard work, helping others, and doing the right 
thing. Friends describe Sidney Permisson as compassionate, sincere, 
honest, and always there to help. He fought to establish a countywide 
trauma network, led a powerful condominium association, worked for 
environmental protection, kept tabs on local tax and education issues, 
and spoke out about consumer rights, good government, and health care. 
He was an inspiring public speaker. When Sindney spoke, people 
listened.
   His efforts in the community brought him a great deal of deserved 
recognition. Mr. Permisson received the Sunrise Volunteer of the Year 
Award twice, in 1987 and 1988. In 1989, as president of the Gold Key 
Civic Association, a social assistance organization for Sunrise area 
residents, Mr. Permisson received the President's Special Recognition 
Award issued by the Broward Regional Health Planning Council. He won 
the Sunrise Political Club Humanitarian Award in 1990. Also in 1990, he 
was elected to the Broward Senior Hall of Fame for Outstanding 
Volunteer Service. As President of the Statewide HMO Ombudsman 
Committee from 1996 to 1997, Sidney Permisson worked for the 
establishment of 11 statewide HMO Ombudsman councils to help solve 
problems between subscribers and managed care providers. Finally, he 
received the HMO Patient Advocate Award and the Broward Regional Health 
Planning Council Dedicated Service Award in 1996.
   Mr. Speaker, the accomplishments of Sidney Permisson are a testament 
to his dedication and his passion. He leaves a lasting legacy for the 
people of Broward County which greatly enriches our community.

                          ____________________