[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 200 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMENDING JOAN W. SACAROB AND DONALD A. SACAROB

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the lifetime of 
service that Joan and Donald Sacarob have dedicated to Hadassah, a non-
profit organization that seeks to expand women's rights and their 
leadership capacity. Hadassah embodies Jewish values to advance health 
equity, fight antisemitism, and equip women with the tools they need to 
make a difference in their communities.
  Hadassah's mission is to provide education, advocacy, and youth 
development opportunities to enhance the lives of those in their 
community. Their work extends to the Hadassah Medical Organization to 
research cutting-edge medical procedures and provide first-rate care 
for those who need it. To these ends, they connect and empower Jewish 
women to lead by example.
  The organization traces its origins back to the extraordinary public 
service of Henrietta Szold, who dedicated her life to ameliorating 
disease and starvation that were disproportionately affecting Jewish 
people. She founded youth villages to house Jewish children who fled 
their homelands as Nazi troops invaded Eastern Europe. Her legacy of 
care has rippled outward for over a century. Hadassah was awarded a 
Nobel Peace Prize nomination for their work to offer world-class 
medical care to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, 
following their commitment to building a bridge to peace through 
medicine.
  For 50 consecutive years, Joan Sacarob has served Hadassah with 
national portfolios focused on advocacy and philanthropy. Her husband 
Donald has served as the National Associate Vice President of Hadassah, 
the men's branch of the organization. For decades, these 2 hardworking 
philanthropists and activists have committed themselves to the 
betterment of the Northern Virginia and Greater Washington Metropolitan 
Area Jewish communities.
  Joan was a pivotal figure in the development of the Jewish Community 
Center of Northern Virginia, and her friends and colleagues recognize 
her as a passionate and resilient force. She served for 20 years on the 
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and was 
honored for her distinguished service on the board in 2006. Her 
advocacy work has not dwindled since then, and I am honored to know 
such a fierce advocate for equity.
  Joan and Donald have earned the respect and recognition of their 
peers. Their work has been instrumental in advancing the causes of 
health equity, women's leadership, and access to much needed resources. 
I wish them every success and comfort as they continue their work.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Joan and 
Donald Sacarob for their exceptional dedication and leadership within 
our community.

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