[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NEIL BORTZ HONORED AS A GREAT LIVING CINCINNATIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JEAN SCHMIDT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Neil Bortz, a 
residential and commercial developer, community leader, philanthropist, 
and visionary, who will be formally honored as a Great Living 
Cincinnatian on February 16 by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of 
Commerce.
  The Chamber has bestowed this award on distinguished members of the 
community annually since 1967. Recipients of this prestigious award are 
chosen on the basis of professional achievement; community service; 
leadership; compassion; and vision. Past honorees have included Neil 
Armstrong, Dr. Albert Sabin and Charles Scripps.
  Mr. Bortz built his career on an uphill challenge: launching the 
Mount Adams renaissance in the early 1960s as a founding partner in 
Towne Properties before going on to develop properties across 
Cincinnati, Dayton, Lexington and Florida. He has made countless 
improvements to our community and raised the quality of life for many 
in our region.
  In addition to sparking the rebirth of the picturesque, hilltop 
neighborhood of Cincinnati's Mount Adams, Mr. Bortz also helped lead 
the housing renaissance in downtown Cincinnati with several award-
winning residential developments. His most recent projects include 
residential properties along the Ohio River. Mr. Bortz has also made an 
impact on our area by creating great places to live, work and shop in 
the Cincinnati suburbs.
  Mr. Bortz has been active in many arts, civic and philanthropic 
activities, including serving as founding chair of the Walnut Hills 
High School Alumni Foundation, which recently completed a new Arts & 
Sciences wing. Other boards include Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati 
Equity Fund, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Reds Hall of 
Fame, Advisory Board to the Cincinnati Park Board, Jewish Federation of 
Cincinnati, Playhouse in the Park, the Harvard Club of Cincinnati, the 
Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cincinnati 
Country Day School. Among his many honors include the first University 
of Cincinnati Distinguished Service Award, Cincinnati Region 
Entrepreneur of the Year, and National Conference of Christian and Jews 
Outstanding Citizen Award.
       Mr. Bortz earned his Master of Business Administration from 
     Harvard University. He has three sons, all of whom work with 
     him at Towne Properties, two stepchildren, and six 
     grandchildren.
       All of us in the Greater Cincinnati area congratulate Mr. 
     Bortz on being named a Great Living Cincinnatian.

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