[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E713-E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       TRIBUTE TO RABBI SAMUEL B. PRESS OF BETH ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rabbi Samuel B. Press, 
who is retiring after serving 24 years as spiritual leader of Beth 
Abraham Synagogue in Dayton, Ohio, within my district. During those 
years, he has made an enormous difference in the lives of the 
congregants as well as the citizens of greater Dayton.
  The last quarter century has seen a great deal of change in Beth 
Abraham, Conservative Judaism, and the community. A recent article in 
the Dayton Jewish Observer noted, ``Press rode the sometimes rocky 
waves of change with moral fortitude.''

[[Page E714]]

  Rabbi Press is loved by the members of Beth Abraham for his 
friendship and empathy. He is tireless in his service to the families, 
whatever their needs. He is known for his great wit, fine sense of 
humor, and his energy, as well as his passion for his causes. He is 
more than a leader of the congregation--he is a friend to all.
  His service reaches far beyond the synagogue. Rabbi Press was 
Director of the Dayton Black-White Coalition. He served on the Board of 
Directors of Womanline, Dayton Free Clinic, Dayton Jewish Community 
Center, Community Hebrew School, Hillel Academy, and Jewish Family 
Services. He is the founder of the Dayton Synagogue Forum, of which he 
served as President from 1989-1991. In October 2001, he was one of 
three local leaders honored by the National Conference for Community 
and Justice for achievements in nurturing tolerance and understanding, 
and making Dayton a better place to live.
  He is also respected as a Jewish scholar, having published a number 
of articles and lectured frequently at Dayton area universities.
  Recently, Rabbi Press described Dayton as ``a warm, embracing, loving 
community.'' It has been made even more so by Rabbi Press' work.
  On May 5, Beth Abraham Synagogue will honor Rabbi Press with a dinner 
in downtown Dayton. I regret that I will not be able to attend. 
However, I send my best wishes to Rabbi Press and his wife Phyllis on 
this milestone.

                          ____________________