[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   TRIBUTE TO MORTON ``MORT'' KIMMEL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2018

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Morton Kimmel, or Mort to those who knew him. As a lifelong Delawarean, 
Mort was a great husband, father, grandfather, lawyer and 
philanthropist. He founded several non-profits and charities and 
devoted his life to serving others throughout Delaware.
  After graduating from law school, he began practicing in the 
Wilmington area, eventually becoming a founding partner of Kimmel, 
Carter, Roman, Peltz and O'Neill PA. An attorney by trade, Mort tried 
more than 100 cases while simultaneously working on the charities that 
were the center of his life.
  After Mort's son, Larry Kimmel, participated in the 1997 Blue-Gold 
Senior All-Star Games, Mort saw an opportunity to enhance the annual 
event as a fundraiser for local non-profits and charities to rally 
community support around the games. Today, because of Mort's work, the 
Blue-Gold Games are now played at the University of Delaware's Bob 
Carpenter Center and have become a statewide affair attracting people 
from all over. Proceeds from the game directly benefit Best Buddies 
Delaware, a non-profit providing aid to those with intellectual and 
developmental disabilities.
  Mort's love of Delaware and philanthropic efforts extended beyond the 
Blue-Gold Games. He founded the First State Police Foundation, a non-
profit organization that funds public safety initiatives with private 
sector donations. He also led the Kimmel-Spiller Charitable Foundation 
and served on the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House and 
Cancer Care Connection. In recognition of his generous spirit and life 
of service to Delaware, Mort was awarded the Order of the First State 
by then-Governor Jack Markell in 2017. Fittingly, he was inducted into 
the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this Year.
  It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of our dear friend. 
Mort's selflessness touched the lives of Delawareans from all 
backgrounds, including the most vulnerable citizens, and I want to 
express my gratitude for the opportunities, services and care he 
provided to so many. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my 
life to call Mort my friend, and there is no doubt in my mind that Mort 
Kimmel's impact will be felt in Delaware for decades to come.

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