[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. HERBERT KOHN RECEIVING THE 2019 HENRY W. BLOCH 
                         HUMAN RELATIONS AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Mr. Herbert Kohn for being named the recipient of the 2019 
Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award. This award was established in 
honor of Henry W. Bloch by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and 
serves to honor a community member with a passion for community 
activism and an extraordinary civic presence. Mr. Herbert Kohn 
personifies the excellence we hope for in community leaders through his 
selfless character and dedication to pursuing justice for all.
  After a courageous early childhood in Europe during World War II, Mr. 
Kohn escaped to the United States with his family during his third-
grade year. After surviving the Holocaust and resettling in Kansas 
City, Mr. Kohn was fully committed to his educational endeavors. During 
his time at Paseo High School, Mr. Kohn was selected by his teachers to 
participate in the Missouri Boys State program. Upon graduation, he 
attended the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor of Arts in 
1960 and his Juris Doctorate in 1963. Throughout his life, Mr. Herbert 
Kohn has shown steadfast bravery and devotion to academic excellence 
even in the face of formidable trials.
  Today, Mr. Kohn does exemplary work as a partner at a local law firm, 
Bryan Cave LLP, where he specializes in corporate law. Kohn's service 
to the community goes beyond his work as an attorney however. In 1999, 
Mr. Kohn served on the transition team for the first female Kansas 
City, Missouri Mayor, Kay Barnes, and later, on her Charter Review 
Commission. His collaboration with a number of Kansas City mayors led 
to a beautiful downtown, a City Pension Plan, and improved early 
childhood education. Additionally, Mr. Kohn served as a member of the 
Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and was selected by Governor 
Michael Parson to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission. 
Mr. Kohn's work has resulted in extraordinary benefits to our city, our 
state, and to countless people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
  As one can see, Mr. Kohn's numerous accomplishments have left an 
indelible impact on his community. His generous and benevolent 
character is particularly well-reflected via his life-long devotion to 
the Missouri Boys State program. He has dedicated decades to expanding, 
improving, and bringing national recognition to the program ever since 
he was a participant. Two years ago, Missouri Boys State re-named one 
of its cities to ``Kohn City.'' Moreover, Mr. Kohn served as the 
Chairman of the Kansas City Art Institute, the Chairman of the Missouri 
Cancer Commission, a Trustee of the Truman Library Institute, and the 
Director of the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Foundation. Throughout 
his extensive career, Mr. Herbert Kohn has devoted himself to 
institutions and organizations which have tangibly improved the lives 
of Kansas Citians and those throughout the region.
  Madam Speaker, please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District in honoring Mr. Herbert Kohn for being named the recipient of 
the 2019 Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award. I stand today to 
recognize and thank Mr. Kohn for his countless contributions to the 
Kansas City community and the nation at large.

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