[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING DR. DAVID HALPERN, RABBI, FLATBUSH PARK JEWISH CENTER, 
                           BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

  (Mr. WEINER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WEINER. Madam Speaker, it is not usual that a relatively young 
man like myself can say that I have known someone well for nearly 20 
years, but it is in that spirit that I welcome Rabbi David Halpern here 
this morning and thank him for his thoughtful words.
  Brooklyn is full of distinguished spiritual leaders, and Rabbi 
Halpern stands out as a giant among them. Rabbi Halpern is a past 
President of the Rabbinical Board of Flatbush, where he served as 
Chairman of the Board's Membership Committee for 13 years. He is also a 
prominent member of other Rabbinical organizations and the Rabbinical 
Council of the United States.
  He is widely respected and recognized for his intellect and wisdom, 
but, if there is one thing that distinguishes Rabbi Halpern, it is 
dedication not only to his faith, but in particular to his congregants 
and his community. More than 50 years ago, Rabbi Halpern became the 
first Rabbi of the Flatbush Park Jewish Center. And more than 50 years 
later, Rabbi Halpern is still there, and the community is stronger than 
ever.
  Under his leadership, Flatbush Park has grown from a gathering of 
only 65 families in a rented store into a Modern Orthodox congregation 
of more than 500 family members. Today, there are thousands of people 
in Brooklyn and beyond whose spiritual lives were shaped by Rabbi 
Halpern.
  As hard as I try to express what Rabbi Halpern means to this 
community, the ultimate testament is how many people joined him on his 
journey to Washington today. Dozens from his community, as well as 
distinguished Rabbis, are here in his honor, and it is my particular 
pleasure to welcome Rabbi Halpern's wife Sheila, his son Neil, his 
daughters Risa and Beth, his son-in-law Dennis and his granddaughter 
Lauren who are in Washington on this most important occasion.
  In closing, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives 
and our grateful community, I would like to thank Rabbi Halpern for his 
eloquent words this morning and for his service to our whole country.

                          ____________________