[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DAVID A. BECKERMAN AS HE RECEIVES THE 2008 TORCH OF LIBERTY 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, today, in my hometown of New Haven, 
Connecticut, friends, family and colleagues will gather to pay tribute 
to one of our community's most outstanding citizens. I am proud to 
stand today and join the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League as they 
honor David A. Beckerman with the 2008 Greater New Haven Torch of 
Liberty Award.
  Our communities would not be the same without the efforts of 
individuals whose work benefits our families and neighborhoods. Each 
year, the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League presents the prestigious 
Torch of Liberty Award to an outstanding leader in the community, 
recognizing their unique commitment and dedication. David is a 
remarkable reflection of the spirit of community service. With 
extraordinary compassion and generosity, David has touched the lives of 
many throughout the Greater New Haven community.
  A respected civic and business leader, David is the Founder and 
Chairman of the Board of Acorn Group, a corporate real estate 
management and development company, as well as Founder and Chairman of 
Community One, an organization which benefits the seven constituent 
agencies of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. To say that 
David is a dedicated member of our community would be an 
understatement. There are numerous nonprofit and service organizations 
which have also benefitted from his experience, wisdom, and 
compassion--too many to list. His compassion and civic engagement 
serves as an inspiration to all of those fortunate enough to have the 
opportunity to work with him.
  David is perhaps best known for his passion for basketball. As a 
young man of 15 a spark was ignited when he, as a member the Jewish 
Community Center's team, won a National JWB Championship. He was a 
coach at the JCC for 25 years and then 11 more at Hamden Hall where he 
coached his team to victory in 8 New England Championships and 6 league 
championships. For the last 4 years he has been coaching at Pine Crest 
School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he has led the team to two 
district championships, two regional championships, and just this year, 
the school's first State championship. It is not difficult to see why 
he was recently named Florida's Coach of the Year.
  David's passion for basketball and working with young people is not 
about winning a game. It is about teaching his kids about teamwork, 
hard work, camaraderie, and commitment to excellence--valuable lessons 
that will serve them well throughout their lives. Through his work with 
young people, his efforts with civic organizations, and his own strong 
work ethic, David is a reflection of all that the Torch of Liberty 
Award stands for and sets a standard to which we should all strive.
  Together with his wife, Ruthann, their 5 children, and 10 
grandchildren, it is my honor and privilege to stand today to join the 
Connecticut Anti-Defamation League and the New Haven community in 
paying tribute to David A. Beckerman for his invaluable contributions. 
Every community should be so fortunate as to have such a selfless, 
dedicated individual who so willingly commits his time and energy to 
enriching the community and improving the quality of life for all.

                          ____________________