[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING AUSTIN HEYMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 2011

  Mr. -VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a longtime 
advocate for seniors and intergenerational programs, my constituent and 
friend Austin Heyman.
  A delegate to two White House Conferences on Aging, Austin has had a 
long and distinguished career in service to our community and nation. 
His visionary leadership in Montgomery County, Maryland led to his 
founding of Interages, a non-profit organization that seeks to build 
bridges and relationships between generations. Interages' 
intergenerational programs have brought children and older adults 
together for 25 years. Indeed, since its founding in 1986, thousands of 
children and isolated older adults from senior facilities have 
benefited from participation in its programs, allowing dedicated and 
caring older adult volunteers and tutors, who are the heart of 
Interages, to make a significant difference in the lives of children. 
Austin served as Interages' Director from 1986-1997. His effect on 
countless lives cannot be overestimated.
  In addition to his work with Interages, Austin has been deeply 
involved with numerous community groups, working on educational and 
youth issues. The list of leadership positions he has held is a lengthy 
one, and includes his service as the first Chair of the Montgomery 
County Commission on Children and Youth, President of the Montgomery 
County Council of PTAs, member of the Maryland Task Force on Guidance 
and Counseling, founding board member and Vice-Chair of the Volunteer 
Partnership Montgomery and Co-Leader of the John Macy Leadership 
Seminar. He has served on the Retired Seniors Volunteer Programs 
Advisory Council and the Community Relations Committee of the 
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
  Austin's contributions to our community have earned him numerous 
honors. He received the Award for Distinguished Service to Public 
Education from the Montgomery County Board of Education and the 
Montgomery County Paths of Achievement Award. Austin was inducted into 
the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2008 and the 
Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2009.
  Austin has served as the moderator for two county cable television 
programs--``Seniors Today'' and ``Montgomery Citizens Agenda.'' He 
initiated the Vital Living Initiative in 1999 and currently chairs the 
Montgomery County Vital Living Steering Committee. In 2001 he proposed 
the creation of a Senior Leadership Montgomery class; his proposal was 
implemented by Leadership Montgomery in 2002.
  Early in his career Austin served as an attorney with a private law 
firm in New York City, which was followed by a distinguished career 
with the United States Agency for International Development. At USAID, 
he represented the United States on the Development Assistance 
Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 
in Paris. Austin earned undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard 
University, a Master's degree in International Public Policy from John 
Hopkins and a Certificate from the Academy of International Law at The 
Hague.
  Austin's contributions and passions are numerous, but his commitment 
to our senior citizens rises above all else. Austin believes that our 
communities must prepare for the aging of its residents and be 
communities ``for all seasons of our lives.'' He sees seniors as an 
invaluable resource in our midst to be embraced as volunteers to mentor 
youth and to share the skills and knowledge accumulated over a lifetime 
to benefit our community. Austin has dedicated his efforts to ensuring 
that our senior citizens can age with dignity, purpose and quality of 
life.
  Austin is the father of David and Stephen and grandfather of 
Madeline, Henry, and Miles. His wonderful wife Barbara, to whom he has 
been married for many years, shares Austin's commitment to community 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in expressing my 
gratitude to Austin Heyman for his outstanding service.

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