[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 130 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              TOM NEUMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my close friend 
Tom Neumann, a thoughtful, dedicated and respected leader who served as 
an example for all those who wish to make a meaningful, positive change 
in our world. Sadly, Tom passed away this week, on September 9, at the 
age of 69. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Agnes, and his 
entire family.
  For more than 30 years, Tom served to help end anti-Semitism, to 
safeguard democratic principles and to build understanding and support 
for Israel. He previously served as the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) 
Southwest Regional Director, ADL's National Director of Community 
Services and its National Director of the Intergroup Relations 
Division. At ADL, Tom worked to build friendships and working 
relationships between Christian and Jewish clergy under the Christian-
Jewish Committee for Israel. It was during this time that I traveled to 
Israel with Tom and when I observed first-hand about the challenges 
that Israel faces each day and why America must always stand with this 
ally.
  Tom later joined B'nai B'rith International as Executive Vice 
President where he created a presence for the organization in the USSR 
and Eastern Europe, an important feat and the first to happen since 
World War II. In 1991, he served as the Executive Director of the 
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), where he worked 
until his retirement in 2012. As Executive Director, Tom helped 
establish JINSA as a prominent voice for U.S. national security ties as 
well as U.S.-Israel security ties. Through his leadership, he helped 
JINSA grow its membership to over 20,000 individuals. His writings on 
the U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship were published in outlets across 
the world. For his work, he was recognized as the ``6th Most 
Influential Jewish Leader'' by The Forward in 1999. Locally, Tom 
founded The Houston Center for International Affairs, a business form 
that focused on international and economic issues, created the 
Christian/Jewish Committee for Israel, a coalition of inter-
denominational clergy who support Israel), and Texas 1990, a dinner 
discussion group of religious, business and community leaders.
  Tom was someone who believed that ``people, even more than causes and 
things, have to be restored, renewed and reclaimed.'' To those he 
worked with, he was a friend and mentor. Always kind, always sincere, 
always focused. To our entire community in Houston, he will be greatly 
missed. My deepest sympathies to the entire Neumann family.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________