[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CANDY GARDNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 2005

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Candy Gardner, a 
longtime resident of San Antonio, whose family has woven itself into 
the fabric of our city over their four generations of residence. As 
leaders of the Temple Beth-El, they have worked tirelessly to improve 
the lot of the members of their congregation and those throughout the 
city. And, Candy has been no different as she has volunteered in a 
number of different capacities at Temple Beth-El and in San Antonio. In 
recognition of her efforts, on May 18, 2005 the Honors Committee of the 
Temple Beth-El Sisterhood will name Candy the 2005 Or Tamid for her 
countless hours of hard work in the Temple and our community.
  A beautiful tradition stretching from the beginnings of Western 
civilization, Judaism is a faith built on works. It is the duty of 
every Jew to make a more perfect world not only for their family and 
immediate world but the larger community as well, and Candy's actions 
have been guided by this credo. Candy has devoted countless hours to 
the Sisterhood as the VP of Advancement of Judaism, VP of Human 
Relations, and President. She has also served as the committee chair 
for Publicity, Program, Docents, Oneg Shabbats, Yearbook, and 
Needlework Group. Moreover, in addition to her responsibilities as the 
Courtesy Chair and the Women's Torah Study Chair, Candy proofs the 
Bulletin, the publication of Temple Beth-El, and the Yom Kippur Book of 
Remembrance, and even leads docent tours of the Temple which is fitting 
since she rewrote the docent guidebook after the congregation moved 
back into the finished building.
  However, I do not want to create the impression Candy limits her 
efforts to the Temple as she has served as President of the Any Baby 
Can Alliance, San Antonio Chapter of ORT, and School Class Acts. Also, 
she has been vital in fostering the arts in our city as a Friend of the 
McNay Museum, and a member of the San Antonio Symphony League. Of 
course, Judaism has long advocated for and supported the enrichment of 
our existence that art can provide, and her efforts have aimed to 
ensure San Antonio would not be without this vital sustenance.
  As dedicated as Candy has been to building and strengthening the 
institution of Temple Beth-El, she has also worked to deepen her own 
understanding of Judaism and also to help others better know the 
Tanakh. Her devotion to continuing education embodies another central 
tenet of Judaism, that of constant investigation and reexamination in 
order to better understand the tradition as it has developed and 
progressed through the centuries. I laud this dogged pursuit of 
knowledge and enlightenment since it can strengthen the impulse to 
invest one's life in helping others. Candy's life is certainly living 
proof of this dynamic.
  Of course, Candy is a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, the latter a 
job she considers the best of all. I imagine her family is proud that 
her years of dedication are being recognized as she receives this 
award. I am also proud to know that San Antonio is home to a person 
relentless in her mission to make it a better place.

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