[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JERRY KALOV

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, on February 28 we lost a great American when 
Jerry Kalov passed away after a long battle against leukemia.
  Jerry Kalov was a great American because he lived the rags to riches 
story. He grew up poor in Chicago and worked in several stores and rose 
to lead major companies including International Jensen and Harman 
International.
  But Jerry's ``riches'' were not his degrees or his money. Jerry had 
no college degree and he died without a fortune. Jerry was one of 
America's richest men because of the huge number of lives he affected, 
including mine.
  Jerry's passion was helping people become leaders. He took so many 
under his wing and he mentored us without judging us but always making 
us better.
  For me, he took a successful businessman and taught me about 
humility, diplomacy and patience. He continued to mentor me even after 
I entered Congress and helped keep me grounded in what is a rare and 
heady atmosphere.
  For Consumer Electronics Association president Gary Shapiro he took a 
brash lawyer and instilled business savvy and people skills. Jerry 
taught him that if you care about your employees, results will follow. 
He mentored Gary and several volunteer CEA chairmen and helped 
transform a sleepy small association into a top 20 economic and 
political powerhouse.
  Among the CEA leaders he mentored was Kathy Gornik. Kathy owns a 
small Kentucky loudspeaker company. Jerry convinced her that she could 
lead a major national association and with Jerry's help, Kathy tripled 
the association's membership and created a special focus on smaller 
entrepreneurial companies.
  Jerry mentored several others including JEDEC president John Kelly, 
NARDA president Elly Valas and Casio president John McDonald.
  We have lost a friend, an influencer of people and a model for 
sharing through mentoring. Jerry reminds me that a man's worth is 
measured by the people he affected. Jerry helped shape many of us and 
we will miss him.

                          ____________________