[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 42 (Friday, March 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E290-E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. KURT TOPPEL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 9, 2018

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life 
of Mr. Kurt Toppel--a beloved father, husband, and Los Angeles 
community leader--who passed away on February 9, 2018 at the age of 85.
  Kurt Toppel was born in Cologne, Germany and immigrated to the U.S. 
in 1954. He served

[[Page E291]]

in the National Guard in the late 1950's and later moved to Pacific 
Palisades in 1960 where he became very active in the community.
  Kurt served as president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council 
(PPCC), and was instrumental in formulating its Guiding Principles 
which are still used today. He played a critical role in securing funds 
to assure the construction of the new gym in the Palisades Park, which 
led to him being honored with the Pacific Palisades Citizen of the Year 
Award. He served as the president of the Marquez Knolls Property Owners 
Association for over 10 years, serving as an important advocate for 
homeowners' rights.
  Through his prodigious community involvement, Kurt became President 
of PRIDE, a non-profit designed to improve and enhance the aesthetics 
of Pacific Palisades. He was also a member of the Community-Policy 
Advisory Board for 10 years.
  Additionally, Kurt was a member of American Legion Post 283 Pacific 
Palisades. He served on the Palisades Park Advisory Board, and on his 
80th birthday his family donated $20,000 in matching funds to build a 
Veteran's Garden at the Recreation Center in Pacific Palisades.
  Kurt believed that the residents of Pacific Palisades should continue 
working together to maintain the beauty of Pacific Palisades here in 
Los Angeles. May Kurt's memory be a blessing to us all.

                          ____________________