[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ISRAEL ``IZZIE'' BARLAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Israel ``Izzie'' 
Barlas who passed away on January 23, 2007. Izzie led a long and full 
life, married for 59 years to Helene, raising his son Lance, and 
cherishing his two grandsons.
  The youngest of six children born to Russian immigrants Max and 
Esther Barlas, Izzie was raised in Petaluma, California and attended 
Santa Rosa Junior College. He was a world traveler, but always came 
home to Petaluma the ``best place to live, work and raise a family''.
  Izzie and his two brothers co-owned Barlas Feeds, founded by their 
father. The feed and livestock store began by supplying to local 
farmers, but the business grew to include shipments as far away as the 
South Pacific. Those business interests developed from Izzie's tour of 
duty as a U.S. Marine stationed in the South Pacific during World War 
II.
  The years spent with the Marine Corp held a sense of pride for Izzie. 
He took part in four major battles: Guam, Bougainville, Guadalcanal, 
and Iwo Jima. He was present at the flag raising on Iwo Jima, a 
defining moment of the Pacific battles, captured on film and made into 
a Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, DC.
  Izzie became active in politics in the 1950s when the state 
legislature considered a bill requiring all chickens be sold with the 
head and feet off and eviscerated. The Jewish farmers in Petaluma, many 
of whom were customers of Barlas Feeds, were selling their chickens 
``New York dressed'' (with the head and feet on and not eviscerated). 
To oppose the bill, Izzie drove carloads of farmers to meet with 
committee members. Each member was given a roaster and asked to cook 
and eat it before deciding it was not healthy. An amendment passed to 
allow ``New York Dressed'' chickens. Thus began his career as a poultry 
industry lobbyist.
  Not satisfied with only meeting with elected officials, Izzie decided 
to make change from within. He ran and was successfully elected to the 
local Democratic Central Committee, founded the Petaluma Democratic 
Club, and became a delegate to the California Democratic Council. In 
2004, the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee honored him as the 
Democrat of the Year. He also became active with the Congress of 
Democratic Farmers, which led to his relationship with President John 
Kennedy and an appointment to the National Agricultural Advisory 
Committee. He fondly recalled visits to the White House pressroom 
denying reporters his identity, leaving them wondering who he was and 
his importance.
  Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that I honor Israel ``Izzie'' 
Barlas, who fought and worked for his country. He touched many lives in 
his 84 years as a role model and inspiration as a mover and shaker.

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