[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1631-E1632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING RABBI SOLOMON SCHIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Rabbi Solomon 
Schiff on the occasion of his retirement as Director of the Greater 
Miami Jewish Federation's Community Chaplaincy Service, and as 
executive vice president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater 
Miami. The entire South Florida community has benefited from his more 
than 40 years of outstanding community service.
  Rabbi Schiff has become one of the most recognizable members of the 
south Florida Jewish community, and his tremendous influence extends 
far beyond the Jewish people. As a spiritual advisor, an interfaith 
liaison, and a dedicated community leader, he has truly touched the 
lives of countless individuals representing all religious persuasions 
and backgrounds. Anyone having met Rabbi Schiff can attest to his love 
of his fellow man, his desire to make the world a kinder and gentler 
place, and his ability to bring people of all faiths and political 
persuasions together.
  Rabbi Schiff has been called upon several times to offer prayers both 
in the House of

[[Page E1632]]

Representatives and the Senate. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush 
appointed Rabbi Schiff to serve on the ``We Will Rebuild Committee.'' 
This committee helped restore the areas in south Florida that were 
severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew. Lawton Chiles, the late Governor 
of Florida, appointed Rabbi Schiff to serve on a task force to examine 
the problems of the homeless. Thanks to that task force, two new 
homeless assistance centers were created in Miami-Dade County alone. 
More recently, Florida Governor Jeb Bush invited Rabbi Schiff to serve 
on his Faith-Based Advisory Board.
  Rabbi Schiff is known and admired for treating everyone with equal 
dignity and respect. He has always found time in his schedule to visit 
as many in need as possible, from ill hospital patients to the 
homeless. His spiritual guidance is an enduring legacy to the countless 
individuals he has encountered throughout his career.
  Although Rabbi Schiff has won numerous awards, and has served on many 
local and national committees, the greatest honor he has ever received 
is the love and support of his family. He and his wife, Shirley, have 
three grown sons, Elliot, Jeffrey and Steven, and they are the proud 
grandparents of seven grandchildren. I wish him well as he begins this 
new chapter in his life, and we all celebrate his many remarkable 
achievements.

                          ____________________