[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO JUDY HELLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Judy 
Hellman, who is retiring this spring from the Jewish Community 
Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee of the greater Kansas City 
area. Judy and this agency have been most helpful to me during my time 
in Congress and were responsible for sponsoring my visit to Israel in 
1999 during my first year in office. My remarks borrow very freely from 
a letter sent by JCRB/AJC Board Chair Michael Abrams in January 2010 
when Judy made her plans public.
  JCRB/AJC Associate Director Judy Hellman has devoted her professional 
career and her personal life to the work of justice and community 
relations, and to the Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish 
Committee, first as a volunteer, then as a member of the Board of 
Directors, and then as staff for decades before her ``first'' 
retirement over a decade ago. Shortly after that ``retirement'' she 
started helping in the office on one project, then another, then a 
couple days a week, and was soon once again an everyday devoted and 
passionate professional who doesn't stop accepting responsibilities and 
challenges.
  Judy's contributions to the community are significant, and too 
numerous to mention. Her work to advocate that each person does not 
have to face injustice has touched countless lives and families. 
Decades ago she worked for fair housing in Kansas City, and was a 
leader in the movement to free Soviet Jews from religious persecution. 
Before the founding of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, 
Holocaust education was a mission of JCRB, for which Judy did 
extraordinary work.
  Judy continues to be admired for her exemplary and prolific work in 
interfaith relations, her dedicated relationship work with educators, 
law enforcement, government and elected officials, and her work 
vigilantly combating hate groups. Judy has listened to, and discussed 
and worked with, hundreds of individuals and families regarding their 
issues, always with great compassion and empathy. Many have seen her on 
JCRB Agency videos poignantly talking about why she has worked for 
justice in the public square for the people of Israel, and in recent 
years been a role model in the community advocating on behalf of those 
suffering injustice in Africa.
  For several decades, Judy and Rev. Dr. Robert Lee Hill have co-
chaired the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Interfaith Service every 
January. Judy has been a longtime officer of the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference, working with the Rev. Dr. Nelson ``Fuzzy'' 
Thompson. Judy has been recognized with many awards, and has asked that 
``this'' retirement come with little fanfare. In Judy Hellman's case, 
her achievements are a monument to her work. Judy's life has been 
dedicated to working for justice. Judy would have devoted her time to 
working on these issues even if she had not been a staff member of a 
justice organization.
  With a milestone birthday approaching, Judy has decided to give 
retirement yet another attempt. All who know Judy feel great 
admiration, gratitude, love, and respect for her. I know that I look 
forward to continuing to work with Judy, soon as a retired and devoted 
community member, as she continues to work to make the greater Kansas 
City area a more just community.

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