[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JACK HALPERN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Jack 
Halpern, a highly accomplished Jewish American who will be honored on 
January 27, 2005, at the Annual Northeast Regional Tribute of the 
American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
  Jack, a resident of Manhattan, lives with his wife Lieba and their 
two wonderful children. He is a managing member of Atlantic Realty, 
which develops residential and commercial real estate in New Jersey, 
New York and Israel.
  In addition to his duties with Atlantic Realty, Jack somehow finds 
the time to work as an activist. Following in the footsteps of his 
father Sam, who founded the family business after surviving the 
Holocaust, Jack has become an active supporter of numerous Jewish 
causes. As a member of AIPAC's National Executive Committee, Jack has 
been a leader in strengthening ties between the U.S. and Israel for 
many years.
  In 2002, Jack founded the Energy Independence Task Force at the 
American Jewish Congress, where he currently serves on the Governing 
Council and Executive Committee. This important task force continues to 
work for fuel efficiency standards in trucks and SUVs. In addition they 
have met with many key Congressional and Administration officials in 
order to deliver the message that a long-term national energy policy 
focusing on reducing the United States' dependency on Middle East oil 
is a national security imperative.
  Jack's long-time associations also include State of Israel Bonds, the 
Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, the Holocaust Resource 
Foundation, the Technion Institute and the Weizmann Institute of 
Science in Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Halpern is a model American citizen worthy of the 
award which will be bestowed upon him. His efforts have not only helped 
to strengthen the two countries he cares most deeply for (America and 
Israel) but have also helped to strengthen their special relationship.
  For his continued service on AIPAC's Executive Committee and his work 
on improving U.S.-Israeli relations, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to Mr. Jack Halpern.

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