[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEO GREENBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear 
friend, Mr. Leo Greenberg, a long-time resident of Aptos, California 
who passed away on July 13, 2001. Mr. Greenberg was an active member of 
the community who sought to make our world better place by tirelessly 
advocating for democratic principles, human rights, and social justice.
  Mr. Greenberg was born 81 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma and grew up in 
Kansas City, Missouri, where his family moved when he was a small 
child. After graduating from high school, Mr. Greenberg enlisted in the 
Coast Guard. During World War II, the Coast Guard was militarized under 
the Department of the Navy, and in the Navy, Mr. Greenberg served 
admirably for many long years at sea. On his first mission hunting 
enemy submarines in the North Atlantic, his ship was caught in a 
``Perfect Storm'' and nearly sank. Mr. Greenberg survived that ordeal 
and was able to participate in five invasions in the European theater, 
including engagements in Naples, Sicily, the South of France, and D-Day 
at Normandy where Mr. Greenberg was at the helm of his ship while 
crossing the Channel on the way to the Normandy invasion.
  When Mr. Greenberg returned to the United States after WWII, his 
commitment to freedom and public service continued. After moving to 
Santa Cruz County in 1973, Mr. Greenberg and his wife, Bea Greenberg, 
became active in their community, engaging themselves in civic affairs 
and local and national politics. They were also devoted supporters and 
for their local Temple. Mr. Greenberg was especially proud of his role 
in finding the land where a new Temple now stands. He loved to hear his 
wife sing in the Choir and loved greeting his friends during services.
  Mr. Greenberg also loved politics. He was passionate about social 
values and civil rights, and worked in his own community to promote 
these issues. He participated in the San Jose march on the day of the 
famous March on Washington in 1963. He believed that a strong 
government could help people and bring them out of suffering and 
poverty. Locally, he became a leader Santa Cruz County local politics 
and was a strong supporter of local elected officials, including Norm 
Mineta, Leon Panetta, and my father, Fred Farr.
  In his later years, Mr. Greenberg lived with the debilitating effects 
of a brain tumor. For the last five years of his life, he attended 
classes at the Cabrillo College Stroke Center where he learned to live 
with his disability and where he could keep up with politics, sports, 
Israel, and Temple life. About a year ago, I attending a meeting at Leo 
Greenberg's house where he asked me what I could do to promote stroke 
centers around our nation. He knew what the stoke center had done for 
him, and he wanted others who were afflicted with similar disabilities 
to have the same benefits. As a result of this meeting, the Cabrillo 
College Stroke center has since been designated a federal demonstration 
project. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that stroke centers will spring up 
across the nation as a lasting memorial to Mr. Greenberg. This would be 
the ultimate tribute to Leo's humanity and long record of community 
service.
  Leo Greenberg's lifelong dedication to public service and democratic 
principles should be commended. His efforts improved the quality of 
life on the Central Coast and his achievements have made lasting 
impacts on the people with whom he has worked. Mr. Speaker, it is my 
honor to recognize Leo Greenberg.

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