[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 95 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E512-E513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING JUDY GILBERT-GOULD

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 1, 2023

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise to recognize the remarkable life of Judy Gilbert-Gould.
  Judy Gilbert-Gould, a lifelong resident of Miami, passed away on 
April 21, 2023, at the age of 88. She was the daughter of the late 
Stanley C. and Martha M. Myers and sister to the late Kenneth M. Myers.
  As a young woman, Judy became involved in the National Council of 
Jewish Women, eventually serving as president of the Miami chapter. In 
recognition of her service, Judy was awarded NCJW's highest honor, the 
Hannah G. Solomon Award, for her commitment to the advancement of human 
welfare.
  Judy later served in several other important professional and 
leadership capacities.
  Working under then-Dade County State's attorney Janet Reno, Judy was 
the director of victim-witness services in the State's Attorney's 
Office to help prepare rape victims to testify in court.
  Later on, Judy's professional career concentrated on working for the 
Jewish people. In 1983, Judy joined the Greater Miami Jewish 
Federation, where she served for many years as director of the Jewish 
Community Relations Council, the JCRC.
  As the JCRC's executive director, Judy adroitly mobilized and engaged 
Miami's Jewish community on many levels. She led our citizen activists 
in building relationships with Members of Congress on both sides of the 
aisle, was pivotal in the pro-Israel movement here at home, and 
successfully advocated for the national agenda supported by the Jewish 
Council for Public Affairs.
  On a personal note, we worked closely together to address a multitude 
of issues facing our community, from the scourge of anti-Semitism to 
ensuring we maintain our strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
  Shortly after I was first elected to Congress, under Judy's 
leadership role at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, she approached 
me with the idea to sponsor legislation that would create a month 
during which we honor the contributions American Jews have made to the 
fabric of our Nation.
  I introduced a resolution, and since 2006 our Nation has celebrated 
Jewish American Heritage Month each May to educate Americans about the 
contributions Jewish Americans have made and continue to make to our 
country, helping to reduce hate, anti-Semitism, and bigotry.
  Judy's commitment to Miami's Jewish community and the State of Israel 
was exemplary, and I will miss her guidance and wisdom.
  My heart is with her family in mourning the loss of this kind, 
generous, and compassionate soul. We were forever privileged to have 
shared this time with Judy. May her memory be a blessing.

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