[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1118-E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF NORMA AND BERNIE KOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pleasure to honor 
Norma and Bernie Koster, who will be jointly honored with the Torch of 
Liberty Award by the New Jersey Region of the Anti-Defamation League at 
the League's Bergen County Awards Reception on June 1, 2005. They are 
being recognized for their distinguished service on behalf of the ADL's 
vital mission of combating bigotry and anti-Semitism, their support for 
humanitarian values, dedication to nurturing their community, and 
working to secure its future.
  Norma Wellington Koster began a career of activism as a B'Nai B'rith 
girl and a leader in her synagogue youth group. She subsequently became 
a staff producer for a local television station in the greater New York 
metropolitan region, where she volunteered for 19 hours on the 
``Rheumatism and Arthritis Association Telethon.'' Because of her 
success on that production, she was named the producer of ``The World 
of Heart'' for the American Heart Association and of two telethons for 
``The City of Hope'', where she instituted and volunteered for their 
newly formed Young Leadership Division.
  Norma Koster has also been deeply involved in numerous Jewish causes 
and charitable organizations. She founded the Single Parent Seminar at 
the Jewish Community Center on the Palisades, where she is now an 
active member of the Cultural Arts, Art, Senior, and Alzheimer's 
Committees and currently serves as the Tree of Life Chairperson. A 
Member of the Board of Trustees of the United Jewish Appeal, she is a 
former co-chair

[[Page E1119]]

of the Business and Professional Women's Division of UJA of Northern 
New Jersey, and was instrumental in increasing its membership. Norma 
Koster also has devoted herself to committees for the Jewish Home and 
Rehabilitation Center, Jewish Family Services, and given programs for 
the National Council of Jewish Women. In addition to her professional 
work as a successful fine jewelry designer and goldsmith, Norma is 
above all devoted to her children and grandchildren, her husband, and 
her entire family.
  Like Norma, his wife of seventeen years, Bernie Koster is well-known 
for his leadership and unwavering commitment to the people of New 
Jersey, the Jewish community, and the State of Israel. He is a leading 
philanthropist and is active on behalf of many charitable causes and 
organizations. He is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of twelve 
separate organizations, including the UJA Federation of North Jersey, 
the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, Temple Emanu-EI of Closter, Jewish Family 
Service, Gilda's Club of Northern New Jersey, the JCC of the Palisades, 
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, the Bergen PAC, 
Israel Bonds, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Jewish 
Theological Seminary, and the Anti-Defamation League itself.
  Bernie Koster is also a past President of the Solomon Schechter Day 
School of Nassau County, New York, and co-chaired the capital campaign 
for his synagogue, Temple Emanu-EI of Closter, where he was honored 
with the prestigious Shem Tov Award in 1995 for his dedicated service 
to the community.
  Bernie Koster is also unwavering in his dedication to the State of 
Israel. A strong supporter of Israel Bonds, he has been appointed to 
the New Jersey-Israel Commission for nine years. He has visited Israel 
seven times, and has demonstrated through his committed and passionate 
work on behalf of Israel Bonds his belief that the State of Israel is 
the lifeblood for the survival of the Jewish people.
  A highly successful attorney and real estate consultant, Bernie 
shares his wife Norma's dedication to faith and family. He is devoted 
to his children and grandchildren, and both Bernie and Norma are true 
exemplars of family values.
  Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues, I ask that you join me in 
recognizing Norma and Bernie Koster for their civic activism and 
leadership in the fight against discrimination, hatred, and anti-
Semitism.

                          ____________________