[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 88 (Monday, June 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SAMMIE MOSHENBERG: AN ACTIVIST FOR JUSTICE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my deep gratitude 
to Sammie Moshenberg, who is retiring as Director of the Washington 
Operations of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).
  For more than 30 years, Sammie has represented NCJW in the halls of 
Congress, and she has been an influential advocate for economic and 
social justice. It is not just that Sammie herself is a powerful 
force--she is--but she also represents and coordinates NCJW's network 
of volunteers across the country. Through that role, Sammie is able to 
help NCJW members not just understand the legislative process but to 
show how they can mobilize to affect the outcomes and push for action 
on critical policy debates.
  If there is a fight to improve the lives of children, eliminate 
discrimination and promote equal opportunities, end violence, or give 
women more control over their lives and their futures, Sammie 
Moshenberg is there. She is always eager to stand up what is just and 
what is necessary in order to end poverty, promote justice, and help 
women and families succeed. She embodies the Jewish creed of Tikkun 
Olam--repairing the world.
  Sammie first came to NCJW in 1981, first working in the 
communications department in the New York headquarters. She came to the 
Washington office in 1983, where she has represented NCJW in dealing 
with all three branches of government and in coalitions working on 
judicial nominations, civil rights, reproductive rights, and economic 
justice issues. Sammie received her BA from Shimer College in Illinois 
and a master's degree from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. 
She continues to use the skills she learned there and as a former 
magazine editor and teacher to train members of Jewish and other faith 
groups, students, and advocates.
  Anyone who has the good fortune of knowing Sammie knows she is much 
more interested in empowering people to participate in critical 
national debates and getting the job done than taking credit for her 
own actions. That is why she and NCJW are so committed to their 
``Promote the Vote, Protect the Vote'' initiative. But Sammie herself 
has received a great deal of recognition for her efforts. Sammie has 
appeared on the ``Forward Fifty'' list of the most influential Jewish 
individuals three times. She has also been named one of Women's Enews 
``21 Leaders for the 21st Century'' and received the YWCA of the 
National Capital Area's Racial Justice Award, the Ruth Osborn Award 
from the Women's Studies Program at George Washington University, and 
NCJW's Hannah G. Solomon Award.
  As if her work at NCJW isn't enough, Sammie is an active member of 
her community--fighting for housing and economic justice issues in 
Alexandria, Virginia where she lives and working to expand access to 
health care and social justice in Cape Town, South Africa, where she 
and her husband have a second home.
  As a Jewish woman, a lifetime member of NCJW, and a Member of 
Congress, I have relied on Sammie for her wisdom, her knowledge of the 
ways of Washington, her strategic sense of pushing for progress, and 
her friendship.
  Sammie, I am so appreciative of your leadership and your passion for 
justice. I know that you will continue to use your many talents to 
improve your community, our nation and the world.

                          ____________________