[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 121 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING IRVING B. HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing of one of 
Chicago's greatest philanthropists and most successful businessmen, 
Irving B. Harris. Since the creation of his first nonprofit foundation, 
Irving Harris' generosity touched the lives of the people, and 
particularly the children, of Chicago for nearly 60 years.
  As co-owners of Toni Home Permanent Company, Irving Harris and his 
brother Neison were pioneers in the at-home hair wave craze of the mid-
20th century. By 1948, the Harris' company had become so successful as 
to sell it to Gillette for $20 million. Irving went on to become the 
chairman of Pittway Corporation, a multi-billion dollar corporation his 
family ran until 2000.
  But as Irving's wife Joan said ``He liked business, and he was good 
at it. But I think in the end, what really yanked his chain was his 
work with the not-for-profits.'' Chicago's cultural and education scene 
was forever changed by this love.
  During Irving Harris' lifetime, his foundations and generosity led to 
the creation and development of several noteworthy Chicago institutions 
charged with early childhood development. These include the Erikson 
Institute for Advanced Study in Child Development, the Ounce of 
Prevention Fund, Illinois' first public-private partnership to develop 
and monitor programs aimed at preventing family dysfunction, and the 
Beethoven project, which provides assistance and help to at-risk 
families in Chicago's most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
  Irving Harris was also very committed during his lifetime to higher 
education. The University of Chicago opened the doors on the Irving B. 
Harris School of Public Policy in 1988, committed to shaping and 
understanding public life by conducting policy relevant research and 
preparing talented individuals to become leaders and agents of social 
change.
  Right until the end of his life, Irving Harris left his mark on the 
city he loved. A Centerpiece of Chicago's grand new Millennium Park is 
the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Music and Dance Theater, which was 
made possible by Irving's tremendous donation of $39 million toward the 
$52 million cost.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chicago, I am privileged to 
honor the memory of Irving B. Harris, one of Chicago's greatest 
humanitarians. My family and I would like to express our deepest 
condolences to Irving's wife Joan, his sister, June Barrows, his 6 
children, 10 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

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