[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF THE EDELSTEIN FAMILY

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                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2014

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Edelstein family 
and their contributions to the Brownsville community.
   In 1906, Lithuanian Immigrant Morris Edelstein opened Edelstein's 
Best Furniture store in Brownsville, Texas. By the 1930s, Mr. Edelstein 
had expanded his furniture business to include 12 stores throughout the 
Rio Grande Valley. In the 1940s, Morris Edelstein's sons, Ruben and 
Ben, took over the family furniture business. Together, they operated 
the chain of stores for more than 60 years and would grow the company 
to employ 260 people.
   Morris Edelstein taught his children the importance of giving back 
to the Brownsville community. Ruben started the first United Way in 
Brownsville, served as mayor of Brownsville, and was the first director 
of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board. Additionally, he worked with 
Washington policymakers to secure funds to build the Brownsville 
Community Health Center.
   In 2008, the Edelstein family sold its 12 Edelstein's stores but 
retained two Designer's Showroom stores, managed by Ruben Edelstein's 
daughter, Julie Edelstein-Best. This summer, Ms. Edelstein-Best will be 
closing the two remaining stores due to changing market conditions.
   Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to honor the Edelstein 
family and their commitment to Brownsville for more than 100 years.

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