[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. STEVEN MORRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
achievements of Mr. Steven Morrison, Executive Director of the Jewish 
Federation of Madison, as he retires from his esteemed position after 
27 years of service.
  From an early age, Steve displayed a passion for service in the 
Jewish community. Shortly after joining the B'nai B'rith Youth 
Organization in his hometown of Elgin, Illinois in 1959, he was elected 
AZA Grand Aleph Godol--International President. This position was only 
the beginning of a long career dedicated to improving the world and 
giving back to his community.
  When Steve arrived in Madison in 1984, he immediately began working 
to strengthen Madison's Jewish community and weave it into the larger 
fabric of this great city. Under his leadership, Camp Shalom grew from 
a program serving 150 youngsters to one which now serves almost a 
thousand children of diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds and 
abilities every summer. Steve helped enrollment in the Hilde L. Mosse 
Gan HaYeled Preschool and Midrasha Hebrew High School reach record 
levels. He also assisted in the development of the recreational 
facilities and programs offered at the Goodman Campus, which are now 
enjoyed by families throughout the region. Furthermore, as Executive 
Director of Madison's Jewish Social Services, Steve expanded the 
agency's outreach to immigrants and refugees in need of support as they 
adapted to a new home and way of life.
  Steve's commitment to the larger Madison community is rooted in the 
Judaic teachings of education and justice. With humor, tact, keen 
intellect, compassion, and chutzpah, he brings people to the table and 
helps guide them toward mutual understanding and growth. Steve is a 
fierce defender of minority rights, whether speaking against hate 
crimes or in support of same-sex marriage. As Chair of the Madison 
Public Schools Human Relations Council for more than two decades, Steve 
helped teachers and administrators better understand the needs of 
students who come from a variety of backgrounds. Among the countless 
awards and honors that Steve received over the years are the Mandelkorn 
Distinguished Service Award given by the Association of Jewish 
Community Organization Professionals and Ally of the Year given by 
OutReach, Madison's LGBT Community Center.
  Tikkun olam, or the obligation to repair the world, is a basic tenet 
of Judaism. Broadly, it is interpreted to suggest that we all have a 
role to play in giving back and enhancing the world in which we live. 
There is nobody, in my mind, who personifies this better than Steve. I 
have no doubt that the impact of his work will continue to benefit 
individuals in communities here in Wisconsin, across the United States, 
and far beyond the borders of our great nation. May his unwavering 
dedication, vision, and lifelong commitment to the highest ethical 
standards continue to serve as an inspiration for us. I join both the 
Jewish and greater Madison communities in honoring Mr. Steven 
Morrison's achievements and thanking him for his lifetime of service.

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