[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GARY ALTER

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, today I would like to remember my good 
friend, Gary Alter. Gary passed away on May 18th, a victim of cancer 
and will be honored tonight at the Flint Jewish Federation's 21st 
Annual Donald Riegle Community Service Awards ceremony.
  Born in 1936 at Steubenville, Ohio, Gary Alter came to Flint 11 years 
ago to assume the post of Executive Director of the Flint Jewish 
Federation. He said he came to Flint because it was ``a community that 
was active and had people who cared.'' The love and respect Gary had 
for Flint was reflected back to him by the community. He was passionate 
about developing the community into a place of strength, vibrancy, and 
diversity. He believed that people could get past their differences and 
work for the common good. Gary was an active participant in 
Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Beth El, Rotary Club of Flint, 100 
Club of Flint, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, Genesee County Census 
2010 Committee, Michigan Jewish Conference, Genesee Regional Chamber of 
Commerce, Urban League of Flint, the Hate Crimes Task Force, Flint Golf 
Club, and Professional Golf Teacher's Association of America.
  Gary was deeply committed to maintaining Jewish traditions and 
heritage. He was involved in bringing Soviet Jews to the United States, 
he established the Karen Schneider Jewish Film Festival in Flint, and 
he was a passionate supporter of Israel. He leaves behind his wife, 
Emily Alter, and children: Dr. Carol Alter, Karen Jacobson, Alison 
Bank, and Andrew Bank to cherish his memory.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and 
remember the life and work of Gary Alter. I considered Gary a wonderful 
friend and an outstanding humanitarian. His compassionate, insight and 
enthusiasm are deeply missed by all that knew him. May his memory be a 
blessing and to the Jewish community, ``May God console you among the 
mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, Ha'makom yenahem etkhem betokh she'ar 
avelei Tziyonvi'Yerushalayim.''

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