[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. MITCHELL ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on December 10th my good friend Mr. Mitchell 
Robinson passed away after a lengthy illness. He was someone who made a 
difference and dreamed the American Dream, and he truly represented 
what this country is all about. The following is a tribute to my 
friend.
  Mr. Robinson, a Knoxville native for 77 years, founded Modern Supply 
Company in 1949. He devoted his life to family, business and 
philanthropy. He was married to Natalie Levison Robinson for 50 years.
  Mr. Robinson was a lifelong member of Heska Amuna Synagogue and was a 
leader as chairman and longtime board member. He also chaired the 
Knoxville Jewish Federation. He established the Sylvia Robinson 
Memorial Fund and endowed the A.J. and Sylvia Robinson Chapel at the 
synagogue in memory of his parents.
  Mr. Robinson, who served as president of the Southern Wholesalers 
Association and a Director of the American Supply Association, 
pioneered the concept of bath and kitchen showrooms in East Tennessee.
  He was also active in the Knoxville business community, where he was 
a charter member of the Midtown Sertoma Club. He was a loyal supporter 
of the University of Tennessee, contributing to the Departments of 
Judaic Studies and Athletics.
  A World War II veteran, Mr. Robinson served as a flight controller in 
the U.S. Air Corps Radar Unit in the Pacific.
  His beloved family also includes children Rabbi Rayzel and Dr. Simcha 
Raphael of Philadelphia, A.J. Robinson and Dr. Nicole Ellerine of 
Atlanta, and Pace and Karen Robinson of Knoxville; grandchildren Yigdal 
and Hallet Raphael; Micaela, Ethan and Nathaniel Robinson, and Asher 
and Eli Robinson; sister and brother-in-law Fay and Bob Gluck of 
Boynton Beach, Fla.; brother-in-law Gilbert Levison of Knoxville; 
brother- and sister-in-law Jarvin and Deanne Levison of Atlanta; and 
many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
  Mitchell spent most of his 77 years in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 
part of a generation that had a significant impact on Knoxville and the 
surrounding area. He came back from World War II with no money, no 
business, and a limited education. But he had enduring self-confidence, 
determination, and a desire for accomplishment that stayed with him his 
entire life right up to the end.
  He was part of that ``greatest generation'' that we read so much 
about today, and who Tom Brokaw has made so famous. Men and women who 
have impacted and enriched all of our lives over the last half of the 
20th century.
  But as many of you know, and as Sinatra sings, Mitch did it his way . 
. . whether it was in his business, in his synagogue, or the various 
other circles he traveled. Everyone was a part of his empire, family, 
friends, customers, and employees alike. He shared the good and the bad 
with everyone.
  The child of immigrant parents, he created his own style, his own 
flair in everything he did and everybody he touched.
  He had style in his clothes, in his cars, in his hats, in his 
dancing, in the showrooms at Modern Supply, in the ``Pitch from Mitch'' 
stationary, in the incentive trips for his customers that he so 
tediously planned and enjoyed. He bought things in a big way whether it 
was a truckload of sinks, shirts for himself, or smoked turkeys for 
gifts. He was able to charm about anyone he met, particularly the 
females. He had an appetite for food and people that was enormous.
  Mr. Robinson was a leader, perhaps not always knowing where he was 
going, but knowing he was going somewhere. His devotion to his business 
was inspiring. His family's contributions to the religious community in 
time and money are in the record books.
  Members of the community called on him when something was needed for 
those who were less fortunate. He was always there. He was generous to 
a fault and has set a standard for all of us to follow.
  In a Yom Kippur Sermon several years ago, Rabbi Joseph Weinberg, 
said:
  ``Always we are commanded to seize the day, to create a life which 
will be remembered as a blessing. Not how long, but how well did I 
live? Not how many honors did I obtain, but how honorable was my life. 
Not how many things did I acquire, but how much was I able to give.''
  This quote is very fitting for the life of Mitchell Robinson. I would 
like to offer my deepest sympathy to the Robinson family. Our Nation 
and our community have suffered a great loss.

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