[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ``MR. BRONX,'' DR. ELIAS KARMON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness as I remember 
the life of my dear friend Dr. Elias Karmon who recently passed away. 
As I speak with profound sorrow, I ascend to celebrate a life well 
lived and to remember with fondness the accomplishments of a remarkable 
man who, over his many years in our community, etched his name in 
history as a visionary who erected institutions and forever transformed 
the quality of life of his fellow Bronxites.
  Mr. Bronx, as he was affectionately called, was born on March 4, 1910 
and until his death on October 21, 2008, he was doing what he loved the 
most--attending to the needs of The Bronx community. His death at the 
age of 98 years old does not signal an end to a dedicated career of 
serving his community, but the beginning for those whose lives were 
touched by Dr. Karmon to continue his work.
  The Bronx is full of busy men, but most of us found the activities of 
Dr. Karmon astonishing. He took time to work with dozens of groups and 
organizations in keeping The Bronx a good place to work and live, and 
all of that on a ``volunteer basis.'' This had been a ``working 
together'' story with people of all groups. Dr. Karmon was one of the 
most deeply involved residents of our borough. For all his work, Dr. 
Karmon was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Lehman 
College, the Presidential Medallion by Bronx Community College, and the 
first Hostos Community College Presidential Medal.
  A graduate of New York University, Dr. Karmon worked as an 
accountant, a manufacturer of clothing and as a clothing retailer on 
Prospect Avenue. The business, Hollywood Clothes, was a Bronx 
Institution for over 30 years. He was also a builder of parking lots, 
developer of buildings for use by public and private agencies and was 
very active in many phases of real estate. Dr. Karmon served The Bronx 
for 68 years in many business, civic, health, service and humanitarian 
organizations. He served on the organizational committee that brought 
about the Einstein College of Medicine and he continued to work on 
behalf of the College until his death.
  Dr. Karmon served as an officer or chairman in The Bronx Rotary Club, 
The Bronx Council of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, American 
Jewish Congress, Bronx Division, Bronx Boy's and Girls Clubs', Visions 
and Community Services for the Blind and the Bronx YMCA. Dr. Karmon 
served as President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for four 
consecutive terms after serving on its Board since 1953. He played an 
instrumental role in organizing the South Bronx Board of Trade, which 
greatly aided minority businesses and was one of the founders of the 
Ponce de Leon Federal Bank in 1959.
  For twenty-two years, Mr. Karmon served as a member of the Lay 
Advisory Board for Lincoln Hospital, nine of those years as its 
chairman, and he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the new 
Lincoln Hospital. Dr. Karmon was also credited with helping to create 
the first building of Hostos Community College.
  Elias will be long remembered for his extraordinary commitment, 
energy, wisdom, discipline, principle, and clear purpose which won the 
admiration of all who were privileged to come to know and work with him 
during his distinguished career in and around music. I consider myself 
fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe and experience his 
example as a personal inspiration.
  Madam Speaker, rather than mourn his passing, I hope that my 
colleagues will join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Elias Karmon by 
remembering that he exemplified greatness in every way.

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