[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF HENRI LANDWIRTH, FOUNDER OF DIGNITY U WEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN H. RUTHERFORD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the United States 
House of Representatives to join me in recognizing an extraordinary 
leader, Mr. Henri Landwirth, for the incredible impact he has had on 
countless individuals not only in Jacksonville but also across the 
country.
   Born March 7, 1927, in Belgium, Henri Landwirth, along with his 
family, was arrested for being Jewish. He spent five years in a 
concentration camp and survived the Holocaust. At 18, Henri immigrated 
to the United States with only a Torah and a little money. Soon after 
his arrival, he joined the United States Army and served during the 
Korean War.
   Following his military service, Landwirth used his G.I. benefits to 
take a course in hotel management and began work in a New York City 
hotel. He used every opportunity to work hard and advance through every 
job in the business and eventually moved to Florida to own his own 
hotel.
   He enjoyed a successful career in the hotel industry and became a 
philanthropist starting the Fanny Landwirth Foundation in 1985 in 
memory of his mother. The mission of the Fanny Landwirth Foundation is 
``to enrich, educate and empower underserved children and families'' by 
supporting basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and education.
   A trip to Jacksonville's Sulzbacher Center for the homeless and his 
memory of having no clothes when he was incarcerated at Auschwitz led 
him to found Dignity U Wear, which to date has provided over 9 million 
pieces of clothing valued at over $160 million to those in need.
   Henri once said, ``From the darkness of concentration camps grew 
many compassionate courageous and generous souls.'' Henri Landwirth's 
vision to become a courageous and generous soul has been proven true in 
the thousands of people he's helped over the years. His unwavering 
commitment and dedication to his community is immeasurable.
   Mr. Speaker, I applaud Henri Landwirth for his strong leadership and 
unyielding commitment to philanthropy and our community.

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