[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 144 (Friday, November 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF ELIAS M. ELIASOF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 8, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
an outstanding member of our community and of northern New Jersey--
Elias ``Hy'' Eliasof, who tomorrow evening will be honored for his 
contribution to one of New Jersey's most worthy non-for-profit 
organizations, the Spectrum for Living.
  Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to list all of the contributions Hy has 
made to New Jersey as a public servant and philanthropist over the last 
three decades. Hy has served with distinction as the Mayor of Closter 
and as a Member of the Closter Council. He has chaired the Northern 
Valley Community Development Program, and served on the Board of 
Directors of the Community Center for Mental Health, the Pascack Valley 
Hospital, and the Family Counseling Service of Closter. Hy was the 
Founder and President of the Northern Valley Mayors' Association, is a 
Past President of the North Valley Lodge B'nai B'rith, and was a member 
of the New Jersey Regional Board of Directors of the Anti-Defamation 
League. Hy is the first recipient of the B'nai B'rith Youth Services 
Appeal Humanitarian Award, and shared with his wife Marion the first 
North Valley Hadassah Citizens Award for dedicated and significant 
contributions in education and community services. The residents of 
Closter have been well-served by Hy, as have the countless members of 
our New Jersey community who have benefited from his philanthropy and 
civic involvement.
  On November 8, 2002, Hy will be honored for his dedication, support, 
and contribution to Spectrum for Living. Spectrum is a not-for-profit 
organization that provides barrier-free residential facilities, 
nursing, psychological, recreational, vocational/educational, dietary, 
psychological, social and therapeutic services for persons with 
physical and developmental disabilities. Spectrum serves hundreds of 
people with disabilities, providing an environment where they are 
respected as individuals and given the freedom, responsibility, and 
opportunity to face and meet life's challenges. Spectrum provides the 
physical and emotional support that every individual needs to achieve 
his or her full potential.
  Hy's well-deserved pride in this honor is shared with Marion, their 
daughter Lucy, their grandchildren Betsy, David, Benjamin, and in the 
memory of their daughter Diane.
  Mr. Speaker, through his decades of public service and good works, 
Elias ``Hy'' Eliasof exemplifies the American values that have made our 
country great. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating Hy on his achievements, and thanking and 
saluting him for his dedication and contribution to so many members of 
our New Jersey community.

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