[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IRENA AND MIKE MEDAVOY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my dear friends, 
Irena and Mike Medavoy, who are being honored with the prestigious 
Humanitarian Torch of Learning Award by The American Friends of the 
Hebrew University. Their commitment to philanthropic and humanitarian 
causes has been of great benefit to children, Israel, and the global 
Jewish community, and they are well deserving of this recognition.
  I know firsthand of the outstanding contributions that Irena and Mike 
have made in our community. Irena is the Executive Vice-Chair of 
Cedars-Sinai Hospital's C.O.A.C.H. program, and dedicates her time to a 
clinic on wheels that provides free primary health care services for 
low-income children and their families. She is also the founder of 
``Team Safe-T,'' an emergency preparedness program for California's 
public school system, which teaches age-appropriate emergency 
information and preparedness skills for students in grades K-12.
  Mike, as chairman and co-Founder of Phoenix Pictures, has helped 
create and produce numerous films, including recent blockbusters, 
Shutter Island and Black Swan. He dedicates much of his time to policy 
issues and is currently a member of both the Council on Foreign 
Relations and the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He also serves on 
the advisory board of the University of Southern California's Center on 
Public Diplomacy. He has authored the bestselling book ``You're Only As 
Good As Your Next One [. . .]'' and with co-author Nathan Gardels, he 
wrote a thoughtful assessment on the impact of the media on U.S. 
foreign policy, ``American Idol After Iraq: Competing for Hearts and 
Minds in the Global Media Age.'' Mike has been the recipient of 
numerous awards and recognitions, including the Lifetime Achievement 
Award (1998) at the Cannes Film Festival, Chevalier of the French 
Government's Legion of Honor, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and 
Television and Producers Guild of America Vision Award. He was also 
inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and received a star on 
Hollywood Boulevard. His intellectual curiosity and sophisticated 
analysis of current events and history has made him a valued advisor to 
me on issues I grapple with on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
  The Medavoys have given generously of their time and energy to 
political, humanitarian and philanthropic causes in Los Angeles. 
Through their tireless work with many charities and non-governmental 
organizations, the Medavoys have made an indelible mark on our 
worldwide community. Irena and Mike are among the most dedicated and 
valuable leaders in our society.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I ask you to join me in 
recognizing Irena and Mike Medavoy for their many contributions and to 
congratulate them on receiving this honor from the American Friends of 
The Hebrew University.

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