[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 121 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF IRA YELLIN

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this moment to 
reflect on the rich life and legacy of an exceptional Los Angeles 
leader and friend, Ira Yellin.
  Ira died of cancer on September 10, 2002, of complications from lung 
cancer at his home in Santa Monica Canyon. He was 62 years old. This 
was a sad day for so many people throughout California, whose lives 
were touched by Ira's unyielding commitment to making our community a 
more beautiful and better place to live.
  Although a strong supporter of many civic organizations, Ira was most 
well-known for his extraordinary dedication to restoration of several 
of Los Angeles's historic gems. While eating at Grand Central Market, 
waiting for a train at Union Station or admiring the beautiful 
restoration of City Hall, we have Ira to thank for helping to restore 
and maintain these wonderful places. Those who have visited Los 
Angeles' recently dedicated Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels 
may also thank Ira, for playing a role in its design.
  Born in 1940 near Boston, MA, and raised in Van Nuys, CA, Ira often 
visited downtown Los Angeles with his father, who instilled in his son 
the passion for city life and the importance of making the world a 
better place. Years later, Ira attended Princeton University and 
Harvard Law School, and returned to California where he received a 
master's degree in law from the University of California, Berkeley. 
After he finished his studies, he spent a year in the Marines before 
settling in Los Angeles.
  In 1967, Ira worked as a lawyer at a Beverly Hills firm while helping 
to run a non-profit legal advocacy organization. Then, in 1975, he left 
the firm to work in real estate development and management, overseeing 
building projects throughout California and on Los Angeles' Westside. 
However, Ira realized he was more drawn to downtown buildings in need 
of restoration than the state-of-the-art build on Los Angeles' affluent 
Westside. In 1985, Ira began his own real estate firm and dedicated his 
life to the revival of buildings throughout Los Angeles.
  Ira's passion for turning neglected buildings into treasures for the 
community made him a great asset to Los Angeles. His dedication to 
community service benefitted many cultural and civic organizations. Ira 
was active with the Skirball Cultural Center, the J. Paul Getty Trust 
and served as past president of the American Jewish Committee.
  I will miss Ira Yellin. Until the very end, he pursued his vision and 
turned dreams into realities. Although his presence will be greatly 
missed, his wonderful work will be long remembered for generations to 
come.

                          ____________________