[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DENA SCHECHTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman and I rise today to pay tribute 
to Dena Schechter, a good friend and wonderful person. Dena is being 
honored by the University of Judaism (UJ) at its annual dinner on May 
20, 2004, for her leadership in Jewish education and her many 
outstanding contributions to worthy causes.
  The UJ is one of the leading institutions of higher education in our 
community. It maintains a proud tradition of academic excellence and a 
progressive viewpoint. Dena shares the University's intellectual and 
spiritual vision--maintaining Judaism's traditional beliefs and values 
in a way that is relevant to our increasingly complex and modern world.
  In 1947, Dena's grandparents helped found the University. In the late 
1950s, her grandparents endowed the University's first public lecture 
series. Throughout the years, Dena has continue her family's dedication 
and support for the UJ, serving on the Board of Directors and for the 
last five years as Chair. Under Dena's leadership the UJ'S College of 
Arts and Science, the Ziegler School of Business and the Fingerhut 
School of Education have seen tremendous growth and development. Dena 
has helped underwrite an innovative community service component to the 
UJ's undergraduate curriculum. In addition, she helped establish the 
Sid Levine Service Learning Program--a feature in UJ's College of Arts 
and Sciences that emphasizes the critical nature of community service.
  To know Dena is to be greatly blessed. She is the sister of our good 
friend and former colleague, Mel Levine and we feel extremely fortunate 
to know her personally. We are inspired by her belief that 
``participation in the community is not something you choose but 
something you are obligated to do.'' In addition to her contributions 
to the UJ, she actively works on behalf of the Federation Family and 
Jewish Family Services.
  A native of Los Angeles and a graduate of UCLA with a degree in 
Philosophy, Dena successfully balances family, a career in business and 
a strong commitment to community service. She is married to Irving 
Schechter and is the mother of four.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, we ask you to join us in 
saluting Dena Schechter and congratulating her upon receiving this 
richly deserved honor.