[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FRIENDS OF THE ARAVA INSTITUTE HONORING HERSHEL J. RICHMAN

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                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend a constituent, 
Hershel J. Richman, who is being honored on June 7, 2009 with the 
``Peace Building and Environmental Stewardship Award'' of the Friends 
of the Arava Institute.
  The Friends of the Arava Institute is a Pennsylvania-based non-profit 
organization that supports the Arava Institute for Environmental 
Studies in the south of Israel. This institute, which has the 
particularly timely philosophy that ``Nature Has No Borders,'' brings 
together students from Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and 
beyond to study common environmental concerns and to forge mutual 
understanding among tomorrow's leaders in that conflicted region.
  Given the special and forward-thinking mission of the Arava 
Institute, it is no wonder that a special and forward-thinking man such 
as Mr. Richman became involved with it. For decades now, Mr. Richman 
has been one of Pennsylvania's foremost leaders on environmental 
issues. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and the 
Villanova University School of Law, Mr. Richman has devoted countless 
hours to environmental issues, in government, in private practice, in 
academia, and as a volunteer.
  Mr. Richman and his wife Dr. Elizabeth Richman have been involved 
with the Arava Institute since they participated in a five-day, 300-
mile bike ride through Israel sponsored by Arava in 2007.
  Madam Speaker, I have no doubt that Mr. Richman deserves this and 
many other honors in recognition of his commitment both to the 
environment and to the cause of Middle East peace. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. Richman on this honor.

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