[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF EDWARD L. MASRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, during his 40-year career as an attorney in 
California, Edward L. Masry fought courageously not only for his 
clients but also for all people of the United States. As a strong 
advocate for the environment and open space, Mr. Masry worked to 
preserve our community's most precious resources. His contributions to 
the Conejo Valley, the State of California, and the country will never 
be forgotten.
  Sadly, Mr. Masry died on December 6, 2005. Today, I am pleased to pay 
tribute to him. Mr. Masry moved to southern California in 1940. He 
graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1950 and then attended Valley 
Junior College. He never received a bachelor's degree, opting instead 
to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1952, during the Korean conflict. After 
serving our country, he was honorably discharged with the rank of 
corporal and was soon accepted at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He 
graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1960.
  Soon after graduation Mr. Masry began his law career, and in 1975 
moved his law offices to the San Fernando Valley. He gained expertise 
and a national reputation in numerous areas of the law, including 
criminal defense, business litigation, entertainment, the first 
amendment, and toxic torts. His success as a litigator earned him 
numerous awards, including the esteemed Justice Armand Arabian Law & 
Media Award in 2000 and the Academy of Justice Award from the Trial 
Lawyers for Public Justice in 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Masry became best known for his work on cases 
involving toxic environmental contamination. In the early 1990's, his 
firm, renamed Masry & Vititoe in 1982, argued for the people of 
Hinkley, California in the landmark case of Anderson v. Pacific Gas & 
Electric. Mr. Masry won what was at the time the biggest settlement for 
a civil class action lawsuit. This case was made into a movie, Erin 
Brockovich, which extolled the success of Mr. Masry as a lawyer and a 
leader who fought for the rights of the people in California.
  Ed Masry was a friend and ally of mine and other local environmental 
advocates. His involvement with local environmental organizations was 
instrumental in protecting the Santa Monica Mountains National 
Recreational Area, as well as other parks and open spaces in Los 
Angeles and Ventura Counties. I was proud to present him with a 
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in honor of his 
receiving the Environmental Hero Award from the Environmental Defense 
Center in 2002. He continued his outstanding work for environmental 
justice by serving as the CEO and President of Save the World Air, 
Inc., a company dedicated to improving air quality.
  In addition, Ed Masry served two terms as city councilman and mayor 
of Thousand Oaks. During his tenure he fought to implement his slow-
growth platform to protect open space in the Conejo Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Ed Masry's spirit, perseverance and 
chutzpah. He fought valiantly and successfully for the residents of the 
Conejo Valley. His legacy will continue to have a profound effect on 
his Valley, his State and his Nation.

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