[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING IRVIN LEVIN ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my Rhode 
Island colleague, Congressman Jim Langevin, in recognition and tribute 
to a distinguished Rhode Islander, Irvin Levin. Many of Irv's 
colleagues in the real estate and insurance business will miss him as 
he retires, and Rhode Islanders all over the state have been touched by 
his leadership in the business community, in government, and in his 
community.
  Irvin Levin was born on July 21, 1915 in Providence, Rhode Island and 
is truly a member of our nation's Greatest Generation. He lived through 
the Great Depression, served his country honorably with the Army during 
World War II, and came back to help build America to the great country 
and society it is today.
  Receiving his real estate license in 1959, Mr. Levin's practice was 
widely respected by his colleagues and valued by his clients, as his 
numerous honors and awards can attest. He was twice recognized as 
Realtor of the Year by the Greater Providence Board of Realtors, and he 
was honored as the Rhode Island Realtor of the Year in 1993. His 
colleagues elevated him to the President of the Rhode Island 
Association of Realtors in 1990.
  Yet even while managing a successful real estate practice, Irv still 
found time to represent his community and fight for a better Rhode 
Island. Irv represented Cranston and the citizens of the 27th District 
of Rhode Island for 20 years. While in the General Assembly, Irv was 
Vice Chairman of the House Corporations Committee. Drawing upon his own 
record of military service and insights as a veteran, Irv chaired the 
Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs. In 1991, Irv retired from the 
Assembly as its Dean, the longest serving Member, but he continued his 
work in public service.
  Irv later served as President of the Greater Cranston Chamber of 
Commerce. Irv continued to fight for his fellow veterans: serving on 
the Rhode Island Advisory Board of Veterans Affairs, leading the 
advocacy efforts of the Jewish War Veterans, and later serving as 
President of the United Veterans Council of Rhode Island.
  I'm deeply honored to have served with Irv Levin during his years in 
the Rhode Island General Assembly and to honor him today on the floor 
of House of Representatives as he retires. His combination of community 
involvement, civic leadership, and business acumen sets of model for 
others to follow in the future and Rhode Island is deeply grateful for 
his years of service.

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