[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1964-E1965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO STEVEN J. FINKELMAN.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 9, 2004

  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, on May 2, 2004, Steven J. Finkelman 
received the Southwest Achievement Award from the American Israel 
Public Affairs Committee, and I am proud to memorialize here in the 
Congressional Record the accolades Steven received as he accepted this 
prestigious award. Steven is a devoted father and husband, and he is 
equally devoted to his community and his country. He has devoted 
countless hours of his life to preserve, protect and defend the United 
States of America, and he understands, as I do, that America's 
strongest ally in our war against terrorism is the State of Israel.
  Here again tonight I want to record my immense pride in Steven's 
achievements and my gratitude to him for all that he has done to 
improve the lives of our neighbors in Houston, and for his tireless 
work to promote the principles of individual freedom grounded in faith 
and self reliance that have America the greatest and most prosperous 
nation in the history of the world.
  Congratulations Steven, on receiving AIPAC's Southwest Region 
Distinguished Leadership Award for 2004. No one deserves this high 
honor more than you do. I am pleased to memorialize here in the 
Congressional Record my own congratulations, your speech as you 
received the award, and the eloquent words of our good friend Melvin 
Dow as he introduced you.

                 AIPAC Presentation to Steve Finkelman

       The video mentioned that Steve is the child of a Holocaust 
     survivor. That fact sends two messages about this 
     presentation to Steve.
       First, it is a tribute to Steve's family that one 
     generation arrives in this country with nothing, and a 
     generation later the family operates a respected successful 
     business, has educated its children and grandchildren, and 
     Steve, as the video pictures reflect, is a personal friend of 
     Senators, Congressmen and other government leaders--the 
     American dream coming true.
       Second, the story illustrates the unique glory of this 
     wonderful country which takes, in the words on the Statue of 
     Liberty, ``the tired, the poor, the wretched refuse of a 
     teeming shore'' and offers them the golden opportunity to 
     enjoy freedom and to use their talents and energy to be 
     whatever they can be.
       Hillel said: ``Do not separate yourself from the community. 
     Be involved and be a part of the community.'' Steve is the 
     paradigm of Hillel's concept.
       Steve is in numerous Jewish organizations, not just as a 
     member, but as an active, involved leader. I will tick off a 
     few:
       First, naturally, I will mention AIPAC--Steve is on the 
     National Executive committee and the Houston Advisory 
     Council.
       He also has served or currently serves on the board of 
     directors of these organizations:
       The Republican Jewish Coalition;
       The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA);
       The Institute of Hebraic Christian Studies;
       State of Israel Bonds (Steve has been President of the 
     Prime Ministers Club);
       Ben-Gurion University of the Negev;
       Congregation Beth Yeshurun;
       Holocaust Museum of Houston (Steve has served on the Board 
     of Directors or Advisory Board since the inception of that 
     organization);
       Anti-Defamation League;
       Jewish Federation of Greater Houston;
       Camp Young Judaea;
       University of Texas at Austin Hillel.
       I could go on, but that gives you the idea.
       Steve has won awards from the Jewish Federation of Houston, 
     Hillel, State of Israel Bonds, and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust 
     Museum in Israel.
       He spent a year studying and working in Israel. He's been 
     to Israel 16 times.
       A tribute to Steve would not be complete without also 
     paying tribute to Sandra--his wonderful partner of almost 17 
     years. Steve and Sandra share not only community property but 
     also a heart-felt appreciation of the American dream, a 
     profound dedication to the security of Israel, and a deep 
     commitment to Jewish values. In the latter connection, their 
     three children all attended Jewish day schools and all 
     attended Young Judaea summer camp.
       For all these reasons, AIPAC is proud and honored to 
     present its Southwest Achievement Award for 2004 to Steve 
     Finkelman.
                                  ____


    Steven J. Finkelman--Response for AIPAC SW Region Distinguished 
                            Leadership Award

       Thank you, Melvin. Receiving this award from you makes it 
     even sweeter!
       Friends! I am filled with humility and gratitude for being 
     chosen as a recipient for this award. I have so much respect 
     for AIPAC and for it's vital mission to support the U.S.-
     Israel relationship. Being recognized by AIPAC, therefore, 
     means so much to me.
       When I heard Joy's beautiful rendition of the national 
     anthems earlier this evening, I didn't hear two separate 
     songs, rather two verses of the same song.
       In my mind, love for the United States and love for the 
     State of Israel don't compete with one another; they 
     compliment each other.
       Memory can be fickle and in the whirlwind of current events 
     and competing interests, it

[[Page E1965]]

     is easy to forget the fundamentals. No one does a better job 
     keeping us focused than AIPAC.
       Tonight, I am inspired . . .
       Inspired by the incredible dedication of people whom I have 
     met through my involvement in politics . . . grassroots 
     activists, elected officials, candidates--all of you have my 
     deepest admiration.
       Inspired by our Christian Zionist friends who mean so much 
     to me and who have opened their hearts to Israel and to the 
     Jewish people.
       Inspired by the words we heard earlier this evening from 
     Sen. John Cornyn and the members of our local Congressional 
     Delegation, who prioritized their schedules to be here 
     tonight. And by all the other elected officials who have 
     joined us here tonight as well.
       Inspired by our wonderful Houston Jewish Community and the 
     professionals and lay leaders with whom I have the privilege 
     of working. Each organization plays an important role in the 
     totality we call Klal Yisrael.
       Inspired by a strong spiritual attachment to Judaism. My 
     faith and the values that derive from our rich heritage are 
     the underpinnings for my political activism.
       I want to thank Relda for sharing this honor with me. And 
     to the entire AIPAC staff who worked so hard on this event.
       As a Holocaust survivor, my father's legacy to me is the 
     sacred duty to remember those who did not survive. My mother, 
     of blessed memory, was an example of unending endurance and 
     inner strength, and my mother-in-law's zest for life is very 
     special to me.
       Sandra and I have been blessed with three wonderful 
     children--Jordan, Seth and Marissa. They have learned to cope 
     with the evenings that both Mom and Dad are out at meetings. 
     However, Friday nights are spent together at Beth Yeshurun 
     and Shabbat Dinner afterwards.
       I hope my children will look around this room and see how 
     many of you have taken the time to support the important 
     mission of AIPAC.
       Things can get pretty crazy in our home between all the 
     meetings and events Sandra and I are involved with. Yet, 
     Sandra still makes sure that there are three meals a day on 
     the table, and that each kid gets to wherever they need to 
     go. She is an awesome mother, wife and partner. I am so 
     fortunate to have a wife who is not only supportive, but 
     who makes me proud for all that she does. Sandra, I love 
     you.
       At one time or another, all my other family members who are 
     here to support me this evening end up pitching in to help in 
     one way or another. Thank you all.
       I close with a hope that each of us this evening has been 
     inspired to increase our level of pro-Israel activism at 
     least one notch--it begins with education on the issues. 
     There is no better place for that than AIPAC . . . get 
     involved with candidates, elected officials, and the 
     political party of your choice . . . or better yet, with the 
     political party of my choice. Not to worry, Mark, that's as 
     partisan as it gets tonight.
       The great sage Hillel asked--``If I am not for myself who 
     will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, 
     when?'' The answer to the question ``when'' is ``now!'' Let's 
     go do it!
       Thank you.

                          ____________________