[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E68]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CATHY AND LEN UNGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2008

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, my colleague, Congressman Henry Waxman and 
I rise to pay tribute to our good friends, Cathy and Len Unger, who are 
being honored by the American Jewish Committee, AJC, at the Ira E. 
Yellin Community Leadership Award Dinner on January 24, 2008.
  The AJC has chosen to recognize Cathy and Len, two remarkable leaders 
for their deep commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all 
people and protecting their essential rights and liberties. For over 
100 years, the AJC has been a vital organization in the Jewish 
community. It has continued its efforts to combat anti-Semitism, 
promote pluralism and democratic values, support Israel's quest for 
peace and security, advocate for energy independence and strengthen 
Jewish life.
  As with all of us, Cathy and Len are the products of their family 
experiences. Len was born in a displaced persons camp after his parents 
survived the Holocaust. Although Cathy's father is a native Angeleno, 
Cathy's mother fled Germany with her family in 1933.
  Cathy and Len were introduced to the AJC by Cathy's father, but their 
active participation started after a trip to Israel, organized by Ira 
Yellin, where they witnessed firsthand the impact of this outstanding 
organization. Upon their return, they joined the board of the Los 
Angeles chapter and have worked diligently to help the AJC attain its 
important mission.
  Len graduated from UCLA and received his JD degree from Boalt Hall at 
UC Berkeley. Cathy also graduated from Berkeley. Len began his legal 
career in New York, where his pro bono work in a death penalty case 
earned him a Thurgood Marshall Award from the New York City Bar 
Association. When he relocated to Los Angeles, he joined the law firm 
of Levine and Krom, now Levine and Unger, where he currently practices.
  Cathy became involved in politics, first working as a staff member 
for former Congressman Mel Levine during his tenure as a State 
Assemblyman, and then as a political and non-profit fundraiser. Both 
Cathy and Len have been politically active at local, State and national 
levels.
  Their community interests involve many organizations. Cathy was 
appointed to the board of governors of the California Community 
Colleges. She is active on the local and national boards of Planned 
Parenthood and currently serves as chair of its Advocacy Project. She 
co-chaired the Women's Political Committee. Len is a member of the 
board and former chair of the southern California chapter of the 
Arthritis Foundation and is a recipient of the organization's Jane 
Wyman Humanitarian Award. He served as vice-chair of the national board 
of trustees of the Arthritis Foundation, and he currently sits on the 
board of Reprise! Broadway's Best, as well as on the boards of several 
charitable foundations. He also serves as a trustee of the investment 
board of the Los Angeles County Retirement Association.
  Cathy and Len are the proud grandparents of Jack, Emma and Nate, 
children of Laura and Randy Dudley; and of Dylan, daughter of Susan and 
Daniel Unger.
  We ask our colleagues to join us in saluting Cathy and Len Unger for 
their long-time commitment to public service.

                          ____________________