[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING JACK AND VIOLET HAROUNIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack and Violet 
Harounian, Dinner Chairpersons of the Aleh Foundation Awards Dinner.
  Aleh Foundation's distinguished Dinner Chairperson Jack Harounian was 
born in Teheran, Iran in 1928. Jack had hoped to attend Teheran 
University Medical School to help the local Jewish community but was 
accepted in Dental College. Because of the outbreak of World War II and 
the very difficult day to day economic situation, he was not able to 
attend. At age 18, after passing exams, Mr. Harounian became the 
youngest staff member of the Imperial Bank of Iran office in Teheran. 
At age 20, he volunteered to attend the War Faculty and became a 
Battalion Officer of King Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. In that position 
Jack served for 18 months in ``Padeghan Jay'' near Mehrabad Airport in 
Teheran. He then returned to the bank at a higher position until Prime 
Minister Dr. Mohammad Mosadegh nationalized the banking and oil 
industry in Iran. Jack got married in 1957 to his lovely bride Violet 
Ohebshalom at the age of 29 in Tehran and they enjoyed a honeymoon in 
Israel in 1957. Today they are blessed with two daughters, one son and 
11 grandchildren.
  Mr. Harounian moved the family to the U.S. in 1970. After he started 
a business importing woolen piece goods, then shifted to become an 
exporter of handmade oriental rugs. After three decades he became one 
of the largest rug exporters in the U.S. At age 20, when the State of 
Israel was established, and later, at the time of their honeymoon, Jack 
began to think how he could help the people of Israel and Jews around 
the world. Some 25 years ago he decided to help hospitals and upgrade 
the quality of health-care services in Israel. In, 1980 he organized 
and led fund raising efforts on behalf of Magen David Hospital in 
Calcutta, India.
  In 1990, Violet miraculously survived a very serious illness. In the 
words of Jack, ``G-d gave me back my wife.'' In appreciation, he agreed 
to become the International Chairman of Iranian Friends of Shaare Zedek 
Medical Center in Jerusalem. In that position, Mr. Harounian began to 
raise funds for Shaare Zedek, not just in New York but across the 
country and around the world. In all of these trips he had the warm 
support and encouragement of Violet who is deeply proud of her 
husband's efforts to care for the sick and disabled in Israel.
  He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Shaare Zedek, year after year, 
putting in countless hours of time each week. At his own expense, Mr. 
Harounian has placed ads in all major Persian language news media in 
New York and Los Angeles as well as in the Jewish Week and Jerusalem 
Post. Jack takes his responsibility as International Chairman very 
seriously. On behalf of Shaare Zedek he has travelled to Boston, 
Washington D.C., Chicago, Miami, and overseas to Germany, Switzerland, 
France, Australia, New Zealand, England and Spain to meet with members 
of the local Persian Jewish community. Jack has personally paid for all 
hotels and air expenses for himself and his wife.
  In recognition of his exceptional activities which have greatly 
benefited the health and well-being of the people of Jerusalem, Jack 
was honored at the Iranian Community Solidarity Gala Dinner Dance in 
celebration of Jerusalem's 2000 birthday in 1996, sponsored by Shaare 
Zedek.
  This was followed two years later by Mr. Harounian being designated 
by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert a ``Trustee of the City of Jerusalem'' at 
festivities in Jerusalem celebrating Israel's 50th birthday. This is a 
special, rare honor of distinction that is presented to those 
individuals outside Israel who have made an exceptional contribution 
toward the betterment of the people of Jerusalem.
  Because of his widespread reputation as a philanthropist supporting 
Israel, Jack was approached by the Aleh Foundation in 2001. He was 
deeply moved to hear about the dream of building a Rehabilitation 
Village. The estimated cost of the project was a daunting $45 million.
  After visiting the Aleh Center in Jerusalem and meeting with our 
special children and talking with the exceptional staff, Mr. Harounian 
threw himself wholeheartedly into this endeavor. Jack was kind enough 
to open his beautiful home in Kings Point for a fund-raising event that 
featured Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as the guest speaker. Mr. Harounian 
is an esteemed honorary board member. He makes it a priority to 
participate in all of the Aleh Foundation's fund raising events in NY 
and in Israel and spends an enormous amount of time introducing 
friends, neighbors and business associates to the vital work of the 
Foundation.
  Over the years Mr. Harounian has devoted countless hours of his time, 
energy and money to helping Aleh expand its extraordinary facilities 
while continuing his wonderful work for Shaare Zedek and many other 
worthy causes in Israel. When asked why he worked so hard on behalf of 
the Aleh Foundation, Mr. Harounian replied, ``It is wonderful that 
12,000 parents can go to work each day with peace of mind, knowing that 
the Aleh Foundation, with its excellent and caring staff is taking care 
of their disabled children.''
  Mrs. Violet Harounian, besides warm support and encouragement, 
donated a very special ambulance to Magen David Adom in 1900 to Israel. 
She is active, in many other non-profit organizations in Israel such as 
Hadassah and Ort and so on. It is a distinct honor and a privilege to 
have Jack and Violet serve as Dinner Chairpersons of Aleh Foundation 
Awards Dinner celebrating 29 years of service to disabled children in 
Israel.

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