[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LEONARD ABESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Leonard Abess, a 
successful banker whose philanthropy during his 97 years of life 
contributed greatly to the enrichment of the Miami community. It brings 
me great sadness to report that Leonard passed away on June 3, 2001. 
Today, I wish to celebrate his life's achievements and mourn the 
passing of a great man.
  Leonard Abess was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Romanian Jews. 
He moved to Washington D.C. in 1917 to live with an older sister after 
the death of his mother. He then enrolled in college at New York 
University where he took accounting classes at night while working full 
time during the day.
  Leonard moved to Miami in 1925 to open an accounting firm inside 
First National Bank, where he was an independent auditor. Twenty-one 
years later he co-founded City National Bank, which is now the largest 
nationally chartered bank based in Florida. He went from making $25 a 
week as a young accountant to making millions.
  All those who knew Leonard would tell you he never let his riches 
stop him from caring about people. Leonard Abess despised bigotry and 
worked so that others could benefit from his philanthropy. He treated 
everyone with love and dignity.
  In 1949, when local hospitals refused to hire Jewish doctors, Leonard 
and a group of Jewish residents pooled their resources to form Mount 
Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. The hospital, of which Leonard was 
a founding member and a former chairman of the board of trustees, now 
has a $300 million-plus operating budget.
  Leonard's public service won him countless accolades. He was the 
recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Man of Achievement Award and 
was also named their chairman emeritus. Leonard was the Humanitarian 
Award winner from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He 
and his wife, Bertha, who died in 1997, were recognized as 
Philanthropists of the Year by the National Society of Fund Raising 
Executives.
  Leonard Abess was survived by his daughter Linda Ellis; eight 
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, along with 
his family, the community of Miami will be at a great loss for his 
woderful spirit and generous philanthropic contributions.

                          ____________________