[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19739]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 ``IN HONOR OF MICHELE KRAGAN BALABAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2001

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michele Kragan Balaban 
for her long and distinguished record of service to the Silicon Valley 
Jewish community. This Saturday, I will be joining many friends and 
community members to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Hillel of 
Silicon Valley at ``Hillel Goes to Hollywood,'' a gala which will 
benefit this campus organization that fosters Jewish identity and 
connections at eight colleges and universities in the South Bay Area. 
Michele, known to many as ``Mishy,'' was selected as this year's 
distinguished guest of honor for her many contributions to Hillel of 
Silicon Valley and the entire South Bay Area Jewish community.
  Mishy Balaban has contributed to the growth of numerous Silicon 
Valley Jewish organizations. She served for many years as a member of 
the Allocations Committee, and then as campaign chair and president of 
the Women's Division, of the Jewish Federation of Greater San Jose. She 
was also a member of the Yavneh Board of Trustees, and helped to 
establish Yavneh's Technology Fund. Last year, in her capacity as 
president of the Yavneh Parent Association, she made great strides in 
revitalizing that organization.
  Under Mishy's guidance as president of the Advisory Board of Hillel 
of Silicon Valley, the chapter expanded to include students at the 
College of San Mateo, De Anza College Evergreen College, Foothill 
College, San Jose City College, Santa Clara University, and West Valley 
College, in addition the pre-existing members at San Jose State 
University. This expansion also included a move to a new home, 
significantly increased professional and volunteer staffing levels, and 
affiliation with International Hillel, the Foundation for Jewish Campus 
Life.
  The evolution of Hillel of Silicon Valley into a full-fledged 
institution of the Jewish community can be greatly attributed to the 
continuing dedication of Mishy Balaban. She has put her community 
before her own needs, and set the standard for volunteer leadership. 
Mishy is the recipient of the ``Exemplar of Excellence Award'' from 
International Hillel for her work with Hillel of Silicon Valley, which, 
I think everyone in the Silicon Valley Jewish community would agree, 
thrives today thanks in large part to the dedication, love, and energy 
of this impressive woman.

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