[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E57-E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOCA RATON'S OPAL AWARD HONOREES SUE AND 
                             YAACOV HELLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 17, 2020

  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today in recognition 
of the important work done by the Rotary Club of Boca Raton and to 
congratulate two recipients of their Outstanding People and Leaders 
(OPAL) awards, Sue and Yaacov Heller.
  For the Hellers, life individually and as a couple has involved 
giving back and creating awareness through the arts and education. 
Yaacov has been rated among the world's most accomplished sculptors and 
top silversmiths. His work has been used to convey messages of hope, 
tolerance, acceptance, remembrance and peace through interpretation of 
the human form and spirit while holding to his personal unswerving 
commitment to artistic quality.
  Sue Heller is a retired art educator with more than 30 years of 
experience. Her emphasis has always been ``speaking through the arts.'' 
She feels that students with special needs and adults in crisis who 
might not otherwise be able to learn or express themselves can find a 
way to ``converse'' through the creative process. This belief has 
always been motivation for professional and volunteer work.
  Through their philanthropy and service, the Hellers have touched 
countless lives and made a lasting impact on our South Florida 
community. The work they do and the time they have put in is truly 
deserving of this award.
  I extend my most sincere congratulations to the Hellers and to all of 
tonight's honorees. As we begin this new year, I am confident that the 
Rotary Club of Boca Raton will continue to be a cherished institution 
in South Florida that betters our community. I greatly appreciate the 
Club's work and am pleased to honor their OPAL and Lifetime Legacy 
Award honorees.

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