[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1388-E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF EDMUND EDELMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life 
of Mr. Edmund Edelman--father, husband, grandfather, cellist, 
politician, and activist--who passed away on September 12, 2016, at the 
age of 85.
   A lifelong resident of Los Angeles, Ed grew up on the Westside where 
he attended Beverly Hills High School. After serving in the Navy for 
two years, Ed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and 
Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of California, Los 
Angeles.
   Ed's service to the community began in these halls as a staff lawyer 
for a congressional subcommittee on education and labor and then as an 
attorney for the National Labor Relations Board.
   Ed served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1965 to 1974 to 
represent the 5th district. His progressive agenda helped the most 
vulnerable citizens in this district. Some of his notable 
accomplishments working as a City Councilman are creating support 
systems for the homeless and mentally ill, promoting public 
transportation, and protecting important landmarks from developers.
   Ed was elected in 1975 to the Los Angeles County Board of 
Supervisors where he continued to serve the community. In that position 
he continued to be proud of his title as an ``unabashed liberal.'' 
During his time as a Supervisor, Ed was a champion for abused and 
neglected children by establishing the county's Department of Children 
and Family Services and the Monterey Park court, which was later named 
for him. Ed was also a supporter for the arts and supported the 
renovations of the Hollywood Bowl to better promote cultural events in 
the community.
   Ed was a passionate advocate for public transit, leading the drive 
for Los Angeles to invest in mass transit both the in the San Fernando 
Valley and South Los Angeles. The Red Line connecting the North 
Hollywood to downtown and the Los Angeles-Long Beach Blue Line are here 
today because of the vision and drive of Ed Edelman.
   Ed retired from political office in 1994, but his public service did 
not end there. He continued to help others by advising on different 
public policy matters a Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation. He later 
worked for the City of Santa Monica to assist the homeless population 
and created a program to establish connections between homeless people 
and different social services. Ed's legacy comes from his compassion 
for other people. The wide range of accomplishments in humanitarian, 
environmental, and cultural endeavors has enduring impact on the 
community of Los Angeles.
   He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mari; brother Raymond; 
sister; Sandra; daughters Erica Edelman Benadon and Emily Glickman; and 
grandchildren Jonah, Juliette, Adam, and Alexandra.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Ed Edelman.

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