[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF EDWARD GERSH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to Edward 
Gersh, an outstanding and dedicated educator and athlete. A life-long 
advocate, he has worked to improve the lives and minds of students 
across New York State.
  While attending Dewitt Clinton High School, Mr. Gersh was an all 
scholastic tackle, which earned him a full scholarship to New York 
University (NYU) and George Washington University (GW). He briefly 
attended GW before transferring to NYU. During his sophomore year at 
NYU, he was injured and unable to continue playing football. He made 
the transition from football to boxing, eventually winning the New York 
City Golden Gloves Championship Open Heavyweight Title in 1943, the 
only Jewish fighter to ever do so, and entering a brief, yet 
successful, professional boxing career. He was a boxing and wrestling 
referee for the New York State Athletic Commission. For years, Mr. 
Gersh trained, managed and promoted professional boxing.
  Mr. Gersh began his career in the New York City Public School System 
as a physical education instructor and an assistant football coach. He 
also taught physical education and coached boxing at the City College 
of New York. In 1950, the New York City Board of Education hired Mr. 
Gersh. Within three years, he was named Dean of Jefferson Park Jr. High 
School, where he directed the guidance program and helped countless 
students achieve their aspirations. He also taught history at the New 
York Institute of Technology, where he was appointed to the Office of 
Student Affairs. In 1967 Mr. Gersh became one of the founders and 
members of the original Board of Trustees of Wilmington College, 
serving two years as the Executive Vice President. He was a member of 
the Board of Trustees for Dowling College of Oakland, Long Island for 
ten years, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Woodstock 
Day School in Woodstock, NY. Mr. Gersh has received numerous awards for 
his excellence as an educator, starting in 1960, when he was named 
``Teacher of the Year'' by Youth Development Incorporated. In 2006, he 
was given the prestigious NYU Steinhardt Distinguished Alumnus 
Achievement Award. That year he was the commencement speaker for the 
Steinhardt School of Education at a ceremony that look place at Radio 
City Music Hall. His impressive dedication to education at all levels 
deserves our highest praise.
  In 1955 Mr. Gersh helped open West Hill Day Camp in Huntington, NY, 
which he continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board and President. 
He holds similar titles in E. Gersh Realty Corporation, University 
Gardens, Okee, LLC, and EG, LLC which owns and manages real estate on 
Long Island. He is also a founding partner and owner of Crestwood 
Country Day School, the Woodland Academy, and Camp Kent.
  Mr. Gersh's generosity is compounded by his commitment to scholarly 
achievement. He has established the Edward & Holli Gersh Charitable 
Foundation, and the Edward Gersh Scholarship at the Steinhardt School 
at New York University. Mr. Gersh has been hailed as a modern 
Renaissance Man. His autobiography ``A Strong Collected Spirit: A 
Fighter's Memoir'' was published in 2005.
  Madam Speaker, I salute the remarkable achievements of Mr. Edward 
Gersh and I ask my distinguished colleagues in this House to join me in 
recognizing his extraordinary service and contributions to education.

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