[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO ALEXANDER ``SANDY'' ELLENBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2005

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Alexander ``Sandy'' 
Ellenberg, and to recognize his lifelong achievements and legacy of 
volunteerism and dedication to public service.
  In the Jewish faith, there is a commandment requiring that one give 
tzedakah, which in Hebrew means an act of ``charity'' or 
``righteousness'' without expecting anything in return. Sandy Ellenberg 
was a man of faith, and his life represented a life-long example of 
tzedakah. Sandy Ellenberg was a good friend of mine and a true pillar 
to the local community; he was a man of character, compassion and 
goodwill. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and were touched 
by his work.
  Alexander Ellenberg was born on October 13, 1933 in Stockton, 
California--the first child in his family to be born in the United 
States. Sandy worked his way through the University of California, 
completing his undergraduate degree at Berkeley and his medical degree 
at UC San Francisco. Recognizing his own good fortune and the 
difficulty in achieving one's dreams, Sandy endowed an annual 
scholarship at Cal for a San Joaquin County student to study medicine.
  A successful plastic surgeon by profession, Sandy said that he got 
the most joy from performing serious reconstructive surgery. Through 
these operations, he could use his medical training and surgical skills 
to repair damages, correct congenital disorders and bring hope back 
into the faces of those who suffered traumatic injuries and 
disfigurations. Twice, Sandy traveled to Venezuela to fix children's 
cleft palates and lips with Rotaplast International, a charitable 
organization sponsored by the Rotary Club.
  In addition to his work with Rotaplast, Sandy was politically active 
and socially conscious--an advocate of civil rights, a generous 
political campaign donor and patron of the arts. He was a visible 
figure in the Jewish community: an active member of his local synagogue 
and a past board member of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. 
Sandy lived a rich and full life, and contributed to his community in 
so many ways.
  Sandy Ellenberg died on February 27, 2005. On that day America lost 
one of its quiet heroes. In a world that is always looking out for the 
bottom line, where a ``free lunch'' is rarely ever ``free,'' Sandy 
Ellenberg was a breath of fresh air. He recognized his own good 
fortune, and was committed to making success, equality, freedom and 
happiness available to others. His life was an example of righteousness 
and unselfish giving--of tzedakah.
  Sandy leaves behind his wife of fifty years, Maureen, and 2 sons, 
Steven and Gary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family and 
friends; Sandy is deeply missed by us all.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the life and work of 
Alexander Ellenberg, a man whose life exemplified goodwill and selfless 
giving; he was one of America's true heroes.

                          ____________________