[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 83 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING MR. ARNOLD FIELKOW AS A 2022 AVODAH AWARD RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my 
constituent Mr. Arnold Fielkow on the occasion of his recognition as a 
2022 Avodah Award recipient, one of the highest awards granted to a 
social justice leader in the Jewish Community of New Orleans.
  Arnold Fielkow with his wife, Dr. Susan Fielkow, and their three 
boys, Justin, Michael and Steven, moved to New Orleans in 2000 from 
Wisconsin when Fielkow took the position of executive vice president 
with the New Orleans Saints organization. Fifteen years ago, after 
years of working their way through the international adoption process, 
and after Hurricane Katrina washed away their original documents, the 
family adopted half-sisters Yana Shira, 9, and Svetlana, 6, from the 
Ukraine. To this very day, Arnie and his family are watching the 
turmoil as it unfolds in Ukraine, hoping to find a safe passage for the 
sisters and their children of his adopted daughters.
  A leader with a knack for business and an expert coalition-builder, 
Mr. Fielkow worked with the NFL's New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2005, 
In this role, he served as the top senior management official presiding 
over all administrative and business departments for the organization, 
including community relations and youth programs. Fielkow was 
instrumental in enhancing the team's influence--internationally, 
nationally, and locally--throughout Louisiana. He was the key 
negotiator achieving a landmark 10-year agreement for Saints facilities 
here in the state, putting his entire career at risk on such a deal.
  Fielkow also oversaw tremendous growth in the Saints' youth 
programming, highlighted by the organization's involvement in the NFL's 
Junior Player Development program, and the administration of summer 
youth clinics throughout greater New Orleans. Teaming with the NFL and 
the Orleans Parish School Board, the Saints were instrumental in 
returning tackle football to the city's public middle schools.
  Arnie left the Saints Organization for public service, elected to the 
position of Councilmember At Large for the City of New Orleans. As a 
City Councilman, he helped rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane 
Katrina, introducing legislation to improve education, economic 
development, public safety and youth recreation across the storm-
ravaged city. Fielkow played a major role in ensuring that recreation 
and athletics remained a significant focus for the youth of the city.
  Upon stepping down from the City Council in a second term, he served 
as the President and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players 
Association (NBRPA), the official association for all former NBA, ABA, 
WNBA and Harlem Globetrotter players. Under his tenure, the association 
achieved an all-time high in membership, built strong partnerships with 
other organizations, and developed a full menu of member programs and 
new youth-based national community service initiatives.
  This new community mission directly led to the creation of the 
NBRPA's touring youth basketball program and life skills program, which 
served thousands of at-risk youth in partnership with the National 
Police Athletic/Activities League and the National Urban League.
  I am convinced Arnie never sleeps as he develops new ways to assist 
those in need. His latest innovative program was jointly created by the 
Arnie D. Fielkow Family and the Edgar ``Dooky'' Jr. & Leah Chase Family 
Foundation. Both names are well-known among New Orleanians, and their 
collaboration combines the primary passions of each family as seen 
through their years of philanthropic service. This program is a 
definitive nod to Arnie Fielkow's nearly 30-year professional career of 
sports, Judaism, and relationship-building among the diverse subsets of 
our city's diverse communities. The Fielkow-Chase Youth Education 
Initiative is designed to build impactful relationships between 
multicultural and multifaith communities in Greater New Orleans. 
Through practical learning and career skills building, this program 
services high school students interested in pursuing professions within 
the sports industry, while at the same time allowing the participating 
teens to learn about one another's history, traditions, and culture. 
This exciting initiative launched in October 2021.
  Rooted in community and public service, Mr. Fielkow's current work as 
CEO of the Jewish Federation of New Orleans is his latest step in a 
lifelong pattern of bringing people together and doing what is best for 
the people.
  Throughout his stellar career, Mr. Fielkow has succeeded in combining 
his commitment to public service with his love of sports, and always 
sought to improve access, facilities and programming for our children 
and young people.
  I could go on about the experience, honors, and exemplary leadership 
that this honoree has displayed, but I want to share something that Mr. 
Fielkow and I are working on together currently.
  Through the congressional Appropriations Community Project Funding 
Projects, I was able to secure $3 million dollars for the 9th Ward 
Stadium Project, whose sole mission is to build a high-quality, multi-
use sports recreation stadium for students, schools, and families in 
New Orleans' 9th Ward. Of course, who other than Mr. Arnie Fielkow is 
Chair of this organization and is leading the on-the-ground effort to 
build this facility in a community that has far too long had to travel 
to other neighborhoods and other schools to use their sports 
facilities. This stadium will change many lives for the better in New 
Orleans' 9th Ward.
  The 9th Ward Stadium effort is just the latest example of Mr. 
Fielkow's love for New Orleans--and sports--in action, and I am so 
grateful to have secured this funding for this fantastic project.
  Congratulations to Mr. Arnie Fielkow on this award. His wife, 
children, as well as the entire Greater New Orleans Community, are so 
proud and grateful to have him in our lives.

                          ____________________