[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 123 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO IDA AND IRWIN HABER

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I want to recognize my dear 
friends Ida and Irwin Haber for receiving the Jewish National Fund's 
Northern Ohio Tree of Life Award. This award is given in recognition of 
outstanding community involvement, professional leadership, and 
dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship with the 
devotion to peace and the security of human life. Ida and Irwin Haber 
are of the utmost quality and character for this honor. It is fitting 
that they receive this award jointly, as their personal and 
professional lives have been a team effort for the past 44 years and 
have been guided by their strong Jewish identity and heritage from the 
start.
  Ida and Irwin met at a United Synagogue Youth event in high school 
and have been together ever since. It is their faith and commitment to 
the Jewish people that helped bring them together, and they remain 
active members of the Jewish community. Irwin serves as the Ohio 
chapter Chairman and National Board member of the Friends of the Israel 
Defense Forces, on the National Council of the American Israel Public 
Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Endowment Fund Committee of 
the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Additionally, he and Ida serve in 
leadership roles for the University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center.
  Business has been a family venture for the Habers as well. In 1993, 
Irwin became the chairman and owner and Ida became vice president of 
the PDI Group. Their leadership and vision for this manufacturer of 
weapons platform support systems has built an internationally reputable 
business that provides equipment to U.S. Air Force and Navy and 45 air 
forces across the world. The PDI Group has been recognized by the U.S. 
Small Business Association and the Department of Commerce for its 
accomplishments and excellence.
  Ida and Irwin Haber have led lives of faith and have served their 
customers and their community admirably. Perhaps their greatest 
achievement is their beautiful family. They have three adult children, 
Nathan, Ryan, and Rena, who work for the family business; two 
daughters-in-law, Yana and Shlomit; and three granddaughters, Arianna, 
Ava, and Noa.
  On a personal level, Jane and I are grateful for Ida and Irwin's 
advice and friendship, for having us to their home for Shabbat dinner, 
and for numerous other good memories.
  On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I congratulate Ida and Irwin Haber for 
being honored with the Jewish National Fund's Northern Ohio Tree of 
Life Award.

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