[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 145 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2012-E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN MEMORY OF A GOOD AND DECENT MAN, MAYER MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to 
announce to the House that a friend to many in this chamber--and 
throughout this city--Mayer Mitchell of Mobile--passed away yesterday 
morning at home with his family by his side.
  In recent weeks, it became apparent that Mayer was involved in a 
battle unlike any he had ever faced. And yet, knowing that Mayer had 
that `never-say-quit' spirit, it would not have surprised any of us had 
he been able to scale just one more mountain along life's journey.
  Sadly, however, that was simply not meant to be, and Mayer's passing 
leaves a void that will be felt throughout our community, state and 
nation.
  No tribute to Mayer could begin without offering our heartfelt 
sympathies to his wonderful family. Above all else, Mayer was truly a 
family man . . . he loved his family and included them in almost all 
that he did and all for which he stood.
  To his loving wife of 54 years, Arlene, their four children, Richard, 
Melinda, Joy and Lisa, their eight grandchildren, and to his brother, 
Abe, the people of south Alabama offer our deepest sympathies to you 
over your loss. At the same time, we offer our profound gratitude to 
you for sharing your wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother 
with all of us.
  Mayer Mitchell had a truly wonderful and amazing life, a life filled 
with exemplary philanthropic service that is unrivaled in the city of 
Mobile and perhaps the state of Alabama, but also, in a very real way, 
he was a man who enriched the lives of all who came in contact with him 
over the years.
  Mayer, known to his close friends and family as ``Bubba,'' was truly 
many things to many people.
  As a businessman, Mayer was the consummate professional, always 
driven by a desire to be successful in whatever opportunity was 
presented. He often defined success as being centered on respect, trust 
and mutual understanding.
  He was motivated by a personal philosophy of ``the harder you work, 
the luckier you get,'' and that's just what Mayer did. Along with his 
brother Abe, they founded The Mitchell Company, a residential and 
commercial real estate development firm in 1958. Their company built 
single family homes and apartments as well as shopping centers. Not 
surprisingly, the firm grew rapidly and soon became one of the largest 
in the southeast.
  Mayer and Abe sold their interest in the company in 1986 at which 
time the firm was responsible for 25,000 single family homes, 20,000 
apartments and 175 shopping centers. Even today, The Mitchell Company 
remains the largest private firm in Mobile and among the top 40 in the 
state of Alabama. After selling the family business, Mayer spent the 
second half of his business life managing his investments through his 
company, MBI, L.L.C. Rather than retire at the young age of 53 simply 
to live on his successes, Mayer put his heart and soul in support of 
his family, his faith and his community. He followed the example set by 
his parents' commitment to philanthropy explained by one of his 
favorite Jewish proverbs, ``Give when you're living, and it's gold. 
When you give when you're dead, it's lead.''

  A lifelong proponent of education, Mayer served more than 32 years on 
the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees, including a term as 
chairman. He was particularly supportive of USA's medical, business and 
sports programs, but to say his giving touched every aspect of the 
University would be a considerable understatement.
  At the time of his death, Mayer and his family had given more than 
$36 million to the University of South Alabama. As a result of his 
leadership, several key landmarks on campus today proudly bear the 
Mitchell name, including USA's Mitchell College of Business and the 
Mitchell Center sports arena, the finest facility of its kind in the 
state of Alabama.
  Mayer and Abe also gave generously to create the University's 
business learning resource center, named in honor of their parents, 
Joseph and Rebecca Mitchell.
  But as committed to education as he was, Mayer was also a tireless 
advocate for quality

[[Page E2013]]

health care and, not surprisingly, he left his indelible mark in this 
arena as well.
  Madam Speaker, at the age of 36, Mayer was diagnosed with Hodgkin's 
lymphoma. After seeking successful experimental cancer treatments in 
New York, Mayer vowed that Mobile would one day have its own world-
class cancer center.
  And today, because of Mayer's vision and generosity--and that of the 
entire Mitchell family--the University of South Alabama, in alliance 
with the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, is now home to a state of-
the-art cancer research institute, appropriately named the Mitchell 
Cancer Institute.
  All in all, the Mitchell family holds the distinction of having given 
more to a single public university than any other family in the history 
of the state of Alabama.
  Without a doubt, Mayer's philanthropy and leadership was legendary 
and recognized around the country and across the globe. When Mayer's 
name was on an invitation, a project or a cause, you knew with it came 
his own personal ``Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.'' And if Mayer 
was on your side, you never, ever had to go back to him and ask if he 
was truly committed. Mayer's word was golden.
  Mayer Mitchell was awarded the University of South Alabama National 
Alumni Associations' Distinguished Service Award in 2006. Other honors 
included: Outstanding Young Men of America; Jewish Welfare Fund Man of 
the Year; Prichard Honorary Citizen of the Year; Mobile County Realtor 
of the Year; and high honors from the Boy's Club of Mobile, Bishop 
State Community College; University of Rochester, New Orleans Chapter 
of Hadassah, Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Mobile Kiwanis 
Club and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. In 
2006, The University of Alabama inducted Mayer into the Alabama 
Business Hall of Fame.
  Clearly, Mayer's involvement was not just at the local and state 
level, but at the national level as well. He was a longtime political 
activist and a passionate supporter for Israel. He served on the 
national board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs 
Committee, AIPAC, for over two decades, serving as president of the 
board from 1990--1992 and as chairman of the board from 1992--1996. He 
devoted much time to Camp Ramah Darom, a summer camp for Jewish youth 
in northeast Georgia, and Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, 
which awarded him an honorary doctorate.
  A graduate from Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance in 1953, 
Mayer also served in the Army as a first lieutenant in the Korean War, 
where he earned a commendation ribbon with medal pendant for 
meritorious service.
  Madam Speaker, Psalms 24:2 calls to question, ``Who will ascend the 
mountain of the Lord and who will stand in his place of sanctity? One 
with clean hands and a pure heart.''
  Let there be no doubt, Mayer Mitchell's manner and goodness truly 
lived up to that expectation. And for all who truly knew Mayer--and 
appreciated him for all he was and all he did--we can all take some 
comfort in knowing that in life, Mayer definitely made a difference. 
Even in death, his legacy will last for generations.
  More than 60 years ago, a young girl wrote a diary that opened the 
world's eyes to the horrors of evil and hatred. Even today, Anne Frank 
remains an inspiration for her simple eloquence and powerful choice of 
words.
  One of my favorite Anne Frank quotes seems to be a fitting epithet 
for my dear friend, Mayer. She wrote, ``How wonderful it is that nobody 
needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.''
  Madam Speaker, Mayer Mitchell did just that. He waited for no one to 
tell him what needed to be done; he simply went out, in his own special 
way, and sewed seeds of hope one good deed at a time.
  While it is true that the good works of Mayer Mitchell could fill an 
entire volume in the Congressional Record, on this day when his family 
and friends mourn his death, I simply ask my colleagues to join with me 
in remembering a good and decent man, Mayer Mitchell. May he rest in 
peace.

                          ____________________