[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 135 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO JERRY IZENBERG AND PROJECT PRIDE

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize the legendary columnist, Jerry Izenberg, and his immense 
contributions to the Newark community through his organization, Project 
Pride.
  Jerry Izenberg has been a newspaperman for over 52 years, most 
recently with the New Jersey Star-Ledger, contributing columns that 
have appeared throughout the United States, as well as Puerto Rico, 
Alaska, Mexico, Canada and Italy. As a sportswriter, Jerry Izenberg's 
accomplishments are incredibly vast. Over his career, he has won 
numerous literary awards and recognitions, has been inducted into seven 
Halls of Fame and has been an integral part of the sports world in the 
United States. To this day, he continues to leave his mark on the 
sports writing world, all the while inspiring numerous young writers. 
And above all, Jerry Izenberg has also managed to be a dedicated family 
man, with his wife, Aileen, four children and four grandchildren.
  Despite all of these remarkable professional and personal 
accomplishments, I can say with confidence that Jerry Izenberg is most 
proud of his work with Project Pride. As a native of Newark, New 
Jersey, Jerry knew of the hardships that the people of that area face 
on a regular basis. When he founded Project Pride Incorporated 25 years 
ago, Jerry Izenberg took the personal initiative to create hope and 
opportunity for the children of Newark. Over the 25 years of its 
existence, Project Pride has helped send 902 kids to college, allowed 
the kids in Newark K-5 schools to study a variety of subjects and 
funded numerous community and athletic programs that have kept as many 
as 1,000 Newark kids off the streets. What is more amazing, Project 
Pride has accomplished all of it without accepting a single penny from 
Federal, State or local funds.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee and 
a former teacher, I understand the significance of the work that Jerry 
Izenberg has done for the city of Newark. I know that my colleagues 
here in the U.S. House of Representatives not only join me today in 
recognizing the tremendous contributions of Jerry Izenberg and Project 
Pride, but also commending Jerry for his own personal dedication to 
continue providing the opportunity to so many of our youths.

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