[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1707]]
                                 ROFEH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2001

  Mr. FRANK. Mr. Speaker, I have had the very great privilege over the 
past several years of sharing with my colleagues information about the 
very important work of ROFEH International and the New England 
Chassidic Center. Under the leadership of Grand Rabbi Levi Horowitz, 
the Bostoner Rebbe, project ROFEH has pioneered in efforts to make it 
possible for people all over the world to derive the great benefits of 
the first rate medical care that is available in Boston. Rabbi 
Horowitz, in addition to his religious role, is a leading scholar in 
the field of medical ethics--indeed, I have myself benefitted from his 
advice in dealing with some of the important research issues which are 
now before us--and it is thus not surprising that he has played this 
leadership role in an organization which make it possible for people to 
receive vital medical treatment which would otherwise not be available 
to them.
  Every year, ROFEH International and the Chassidic Center come 
together with their supporters at a dinner, a highlight of which is the 
recognition of people who have provided especially important service to 
this wonderful effort. This year's honorees are two men of very great 
distinction, Dr. Judah Folkman, and Mr. Arnold Andler.
  Professor Judah Folkman, M.D., was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He 
received his B.A. (cum laude), in 1953 from Ohio State University, and 
his M.D., (magna cum laude), in 1957 from Harvard Medical School. While 
at Ohio State he worked in Dr. Robert Zollinger's surgical laboratory 
and was a co-author on papers describing a new method of hepatectomy 
for liver cancer. As a student at Harvard Medical School he worked in 
Dr. Robert Gross' laboratory where he developed the first atrio-
ventricular implantable pacemaker, for which he received the Boylston 
Medical Prize, the Soma Weiss Award, and the Borden Undergraduate Award 
in Medicine.
  In 1957, Dr. Folkman started his surgical training at the 
Massachusetts General Hospital and served as Chief Resident in surgery 
from 1964-1965. His surgical residency was interrupted between 1960 and 
1962 when served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy at the National Naval 
Medical Center in Bethesda. It was here that Dr. Folkman with David 
Long first reported the use of silicone rubber implantable polymers for 
the sustained-release of drugs. It was also in Bethesda that he carried 
out the experiments of growing tumors in isolated perfused organs, 
which led to the idea that tumors are angiogenesis-dependent.
  In 1965, Dr. Folkman joined Harvard's Surgical Service at the Boston 
City Hospital where he was appointed Instructor in Surgery. In 1967 he 
was promoted to Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and to 
Surgeon-in-Chief at Children's Hospital Medical Center, becoming the 
Julia Dyckman Andrus Professor of Surgery in 1968. After 14 years as 
Surgeon-in-Chief, he stepped down to devote his full time to research.
  Dr. Folkman's discoveries on the mechanism of angiogensis opened a 
field of investigation now pursued worldwide. His laboratory reported 
the first purified angiogenesis molecule, the first angiogenesis 
inhibitor, proposed the concept of angiogenic disease, and has begun 
clinical trials based on this research. Basic fibroblast growth factor 
(bFGF) was first purified in Folkman's laboratory (together with 
Michael Klagsbrun and Yuen Shing). Angiogenesis inhibitors are 
currently in clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe.
  Dr. Folkman's exceptional achievements have been recognized by 
numerous national and international awards. In 1990 he was elected to 
the National Academy of Sciences. He is also a member of the American 
Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and 
the Institute of Medicine. He holds honorary degrees from five 
universities. Dr. Folkman is the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed 
papers as well as may other publications.
  Arnold Andler affectionately known as ``Arnie'' to his family and 
friends has been an endearing member of the Chassidic Center and Rofeh 
following in the footsteps of his parents, aunts and uncles and many 
others in the Andler family.
  Arnie spent his early years in Dorchester where his family always 
kept Judaism in the forefront of his life. In the 50's Arnie's family 
moved to Newton where they became very active in the Jewish Community 
and in Beth-El Atereth Israel. Today Arnie is still an active board 
member, Chairman of the Hebrew School as well as serving on a variety 
of other committees. He is a staunch supporter of many other 
organizations and synagogues not only in Boston and its surrounding 
area, but all over the world.
  Arnie is known in the Newton Community as the ``Candy Man'', a title 
inherited from his father, Samuel, of Blessed Memory, and the more 
recent title of grandfather, a title of which he is exceptionally 
proud. His three beautiful granddaughters, Brooke, Paige, and Brianna 
can be seen accompanying him at Shabbos and Holiday Services much to 
his and everyone's delight.
  Arnie's mother, Frieda, is still an active member of the Jewish 
Community and along with his father, Samuel, of Blessed Memory, have 
given him only the highest of standards to achieve, both religiously 
and morally. His mother-in-law, Lillian and late father-in-law, 
Maurice, of Blessed Memory have always been supportive and proud of his 
accomplishments. Arnie especially thanks his lovely wife Barbara of 40 
years, their three children, Doug and wife Kim, Wendy and husband 
Joseph, and son Greg, and all his brothers and sisters for their 
understanding and support. Arnie emphasizes--``Without their love and 
guidance I would not be here today''. This award is humbly accepted in 
honor and memory of the Andler family and the continuous outstanding 
work of the Rebbe, the Chassidic Center, and Rofeh.
  Mr. Speaker I consider it a very great honor that these important 
institutions are located in the Congressional district which I am 
privileged to serve, and I am very proud to have the chance to salute 
here the important work done by ROFEH and the New England Chassidic 
Center, and to join in paying tribute to their extremely distinguished 
honorees.

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