[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING LYNNE AND PHIL HIMELSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
two exceptional people, who I am proud to call Hoosiers. Lynne and Phil 
Himelstein will be recognized for their years of dedicated service to 
both the people of Indiana and to the State of Israel at the annual 
Indiana-Israel Dinner on October 19, 2008--sponsored by the State of 
Israel Bonds/Development Corporation--which this year commemorates the 
60th Anniversary of Israel's statehood.
  Since 1951, the State of Israel Bonds Development Corporation has 
issued securities in the name of the government of Israel for the 
development of every aspect of Israel's economy. This has included 
Israel's roads, public transportation, power plants, agricultural 
expansion, water desalinization, and industrial growth. State of Israel 
Bonds Corp. has secured more than $28 billion in investment of capital, 
and maintained a perfect record on the payment of interest and 
principal on the securities it has issued over the years. From a small, 
fledging idea, the organization has grown into a powerful legacy of 
achievement. In fact it's probably fair to say that the State of Israel 
Bonds Corp. is the financial rock upon which the modern State of Israel 
is built.
  This same kind of entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community 
drives this year's honorees, Lynne and Phil Himelstein, who have 
individually and collectively made a huge impact in their community, 
both for Jewish and secular causes. Their efforts will leave a lasting 
legacy that will benefit both Indianapolis and Israel.
  Lynne Himelstein was born in Beverly Hills, California, and decided 
to move her family back to her husband's home state of Indiana for a 
more Midwest value-oriented life. Immediately, Lynne became extremely 
active in the Indianapolis Jewish Community. After seven years of 
working as a Jewish day school teacher, Lynne was able to become a 
strong voice and leader to many of the communities' organizations. 
Since then, Lynne has served a term as President of AIPAC for Central 
Indiana, and is currently co-chair of Endowments for National Women's 
Philanthropy of the United States Jewish Community. Lynne has also 
served on the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the 
National Council of Jewish Women, the Jewish Community Center, and the 
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). During her term with 
the JFGI, Lynne spearheaded the raising of millions of dollars as the 
campaign chair in both 2003 and 2004. Lynne also created an academic 
scholarship in her name that is awarded annually to one deserving 
Jewish individual.
  Lynne's husband, Phil, is a Hoosier by birth. When Phil returned to 
Indiana in 1992 with Lynne--after seventeen years working for a 
prosperous law firm in Los Angeles--he became manager of Magic Menu 
Foods, a company that produced nutritional food products for the health 
care industry. Currently, Phil runs Hilan Capital, a private equity 
partnership that he co-founded in 1998. Phil is also the director of 
the Sage Group, an investment bank in Los Angeles; and a director of 
Brainscope Company, Inc., a neurodiagnostics company based in St. Louis 
and New York City.
  Phil is as equally hard working outside of the boardroom; he 
currently serves as chairman of the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis 
Center; one of the largest treatment centers in the country serving 
individuals with bleeding disorders. Phil is also a founder and trustee 
of University High School of Indiana, a diverse college preparatory 
school in Indianapolis with a college placement rate of 100 percent.
  Madam Speaker, individually and together, the Himelstein's 
contributions to the United States, to the people of Indiana, Indiana's 
Jewish Community, and to the State of Israel represent the highest 
tradition of selfless public service, civic stewardship and commitment 
to others. Their praiseworthy efforts will be recognized at the 
Indiana-Israel Dinner of State on October 19th but I ask my colleagues 
to join me now to commend and congratulate Lynne and Phil for their 
outstanding achievements, and their lives of service.




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