[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16717]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              AL BRAIMAN: DEPAUL UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2003

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Al Braiman, 
graduate of DePaul University's Class of 2003. Al was the oldest 
graduate of DePaul's Class of 2003 when he graduated on June 14. Al 
completed a degree in liberal arts at DePaul's College of New Learning 
with a grade point average of 3.92 out of a possible 4.0.
  Born in Kiev, Russia, in 1920, Al immigrated to the United States at 
the age of one. His family took up residency in Chicago, where he lived 
most of his life. After high school, Al turned down an academic 
scholarship for college to support his family. Al joined the Army and 
served with distinction in World War II, spending most of his time on 
Guadalcanal.
  After leaving the Army, Al owned and operated Lakeview Grocerland 
until the mid 1960s when he became an insurance salesman with Equitable 
Life Insurance Company. He became a certified life underwriter and 
chartered financial consultant. Al won many awards in the industry, 
including induction into the Equitable Hall of Fame.
  After retiring in 1985, Al decided to earn a college degree, 
something he promised his mother earlier in his life. Al's interest in 
politics led him to take many political science and history courses at 
DePaul University. Some of his favorites included a class on American 
presidents and a course on race relations. He also enjoyed learning 
many new things such as use of the Internet, photography, and art. Al 
has proven that it is never too late to learn and we could all learn a 
great deal from his perseverance.
  I know my fellow Senators will join me in congratulating Al Braiman, 
DePaul Class of 2003. His story contains all the elements of a great 
American life and I am honored to share it with my colleagues in the 
Senate.

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