[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 164 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           HONORING NAT GEIER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2001

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nat Geier, a 
distinguished citizen of Sunrise, Florida who has devoted himself to 
improving the South Florida community over the last three decades. 
Through numerous citizen campaigns, Mr. Geier was the engine of 
improvement in strengthening the Broward County community. It brings me 
great sadness to report that Nat Geier passed away on Saturday, 
November 24, 2001, at the age of 91.
  Born in Poland in 1911, Nat immigrated to America at the age of nine. 
He left the New York City School system at age 13 to find employment in 
the garment business cutting material. The young man learned quickly, 
worked hard and rose up in the ranks. After a successful career in New 
York, Nat followed his dream to relocate to South Florida.
  An early resident of the now well-developed area of South Florida, he 
always understood that homeownership is the anchor of all communities; 
it gives residents long-term investment in the quality of their 
surroundings. For this reason, Nat set out two decades ago to educate 
Broward residents of the importance of the ``Homestead Exemption'' 
rules, which encourage homeownership and community enhancement while 
functioning within the Florida tax codes. Nat's efforts brought the 
benefits of these rules to thousands of Florida homeowners and helped 
to build the strong and lasting communities thriving in Broward County 
today.
  Upon retirement from the garment industry, Nat reinvented himself as 
a social and community activist. Understanding the importance of a 
earning a good, solid education Mr. Geier consistently supported 
Broward County Schools in their efforts to provide young residents with 
a quality education and opportunities for success. A shining example, 
Nat collected more than $750,000 in grocery receipts in 1990 to help 
purchase a local high school's first computer. The same year, Nat was 
inducted into the Broward Senior Hall of Fame.
  Throughout his thirty years in South Florida, Nat remained active in 
a number of citizen organizations including the Citizens Community 
Information Council, the Sunrise Consumer Affairs Committee, the 
Sunrise Code Enforcement Board and the Community Blood Center.
  Mr. Speaker, Nat Geier was both well-loved and widely respected by 
all those blessed to have known him. He is survived by his son and 
daughter, Joel Geier and Caryle Perlman of Chicago; stepsons Leon 
Silverstein of New York and Jay Silverstein of Los Angeles; 
stepdaughter Ilene Silverstein of New York; six grandchildren; and five 
great-grandchildren. Nat selflessly served his community and his family 
was a source of admiration and great pride. Today we celebrate Nat's 
life, which serves as a wonderful example to all who follow in his 
footsteps.