[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO SAINT JOHN'S FOUNDATION BOARD TRUSTEE JERRY B. EPSTEIN AND 
  HIS BELOVED WIFE, PAT, FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
dear friends, Jerry B. Epstein and his remarkable wife, Pat, who are 
being honored on October 11 with the Spirit of Saint John's Award at 
the 2008 Caritas Gala at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, 
California.
  To fully capture the breadth of this extraordinary couple's service 
to Saint John's and the community at large, I would like to share with 
my colleagues a tribute written by members of the Saint John's Health 
Center Foundation family. As a person who has had the privilege of 
knowing this remarkable couple for many years, I feel the tribute 
captures Jerry and Pat's tireless work to make Saint John's the quality 
health center it is today. It also highlights their many other 
contributions to the Los Angeles community they hold so dear.
  The foundation's tribute reads, ``Pat and Jerry's love for Saint 
John's is apparent in the enthusiasm and passion they bring to each 
project they embrace. When asked why they have chosen to devote so much 
of their time and energy to the Health Center, Jerry will tell you that 
having a place like Saint John's is absolutely essential--``as 
important as having food to eat and a roof over your head.''
  Jerry joined the Saint John's Foundation Board of Trustees in 1975 
and was elected Chairman in 2006 and 2007. He has actively participated 
in numerous hospital and Foundation initiatives including leadership of 
the Development Oversight Committee, Building Committee, Leadership 
Giving, Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon Committee, Chautauqua Inaugural 
Committee, The Saint John's Legacy Project and the Campaign for Saint 
John's. He currently serves as a member of the Foundation Executive 
Committee and Board of Counselors. During the design and construction 
of the new Health Center campus, Jerry's vast knowledge and experience 
in large-scale real estate development have been invaluable to Saint 
John's.
  Jerry's commitment to Saint John's is matched by his wife and 60-year 
life-long partner, Pat, whose contributions have touched everyone in 
the Saint John's family. As one of the founding members of the Irene 
Dunne Guild, she continues to be an integral part of this important 
support group. She is a committee member of the Women's Health 
Initiative and serves on several fundraising event committees. Pat has 
graciously hosted countless dinners and special events in their home to 
introduce friends and neighbors to Saint John's.
  The Epsteins' dedication to Saint John's is rivaled only by their 
pride for the State of California. Jerry is a true real estate 
visionary and since 1952 has been involved in the development, 
construction and management of major building projects in Los Angeles. 
One of the highlights of his extremely successful career in real estate 
is the development of Marina del Rey, the largest pleasure boat harbor 
community in the world.
  Jerry's leadership in civic affairs extends to all sectors of the 
community and he has proudly served every California governor since 
Ronald Reagan on State boards and commissions, including the California 
Transportation Commission and California High Speed Rail Authority, 
City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners and Los Angeles 
State Building Authority, all of which he served as president.
  A dedicated student of history, Jerry collects memorabilia associated 
with the Founding Fathers and other great American statesmen. He is 
perhaps most proud of the collection he recently donated to the 
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which included an original copy of 
the Declaration of Independence, plus documents and letters signed by 
every signatory of the Declaration, including Thomas Jefferson, 
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Hancock.
  Pat and Jerry's energy is boundless when it comes to making a 
difference in their community. Jerry serves on the board of directors 
of The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and a three-person committee 
overseeing the construction of the new L.A. County USC and Harbor UCLA 
Medical Centers. Pat is an officer of the Beverly Hills Hadassah and a 
member of the Governing Board of FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & 
Merchandising, one of the largest institutions of its kind in the 
Nation. A gifted artist, sculptor and collector, Pat is also a member 
of the city's artistic community and is passionate about the time she 
spends in her studio, Studio Eight, sculpting in different mediums.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Pat and Jerry for their generosity, dedication and love for Saint 
John's Health Center, the greater Los Angeles region and the State of 
California. They have given selflessly of their time, creativity, 
talent and financial resources to many important causes and it is with 
great pride that I join Saint John's in recognizing them for their 
significant and ongoing contributions to our communities.

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