[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF BERNARD BERNSTEIN

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good friend of 
mine and an even better lawyer that recently passed away in Knoxville, 
Bernie Bernstein.
  My friend Jerry Becker delivered the bad news last week. Bernie and 
my father were good friends, and they served on a draft board together.
  Bernie served in the United States Air Force and was a respected 
lawyer and leader not only in the Jewish community but in every 
community he was in, especially in Knoxville.
  My dad had two compliments he would give people. He would say: ``You 
would make a good marine,'' or he would say: ``He is solid.''
  He always told me that if negotiations were ever going south, just 
let Bernie speak because he was solid. Mr. Speaker, he was that.
  There is a Holocaust memorial that we built in the West Hills Park 
when I was in the State legislature with the help of some folks, and 
Bernie was one of those.
  He gave the words that are on the stone that stands there today. I 
remember we were supposed to have the dedication at the memorial, but 
dadgummit, it was raining cats and dogs, so we ended up having it at 
West Hills Baptist Church.
  Oddly enough, Bernie was dear friends with Pastor Prince who has 
since passed away. His son is now the pastor there, and he is my good 
friend.
  I walked up thinking no one would be there. The doors opened, and it 
was completely jam-packed. It was packed because he was not only a 
leader in the Jewish community, he was a good friend to everyone he 
met.
  My dad was right. Bernie was solid, and when he spoke, people 
listened. Thank you for being such a dear friend. You will truly be 
missed, Bernie
  He leaves his wife and two children. I wish him shalom.

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