[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24139]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO IRA AND KATHY GRIBIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my good friends, 
Ira and Kathy Gribin, who are being honored by the Hope Through Housing 
Foundation with the prestigious Founder's Award. Their commitment to 
providing affordable housing for low-income families in Southern 
California has earned them this recognition.
  I have had the privilege of working with Ira for many years and know 
first-hand of his strong work ethic and legendary accomplishments. Ira 
has been a leader in the real estate business since 1946 and has been 
an active member of numerous national and local realtor associations 
for many years. He served as President of the National Association of 
Realtors, the Realtors National Marketing Institute, the California 
Association of Realtors and the San Fernando Valley Board of Realtors. 
Additionally, he has served as a board member of many real estate and 
non-profit organizations and is co-founder of Gribin von Dyl, Realtors.
  Ira's vast knowledge on issues related to real estate, financing and 
management has helped him become a renowned and sought after authority 
in these fields. He has taught at the University of Southern California 
and California State University Northridge, and has also served on the 
University of California President's Advisory Committee. The demand for 
Ira's talents has transcended the private sector into the public 
service arena as well. He served as Commissioner of Transportation and 
Commissioner of the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles.
  I have known Kathy for many years, and can attest to her invaluable 
service and outstanding contributions to the Hope Through Housing 
Foundation. Prior to her arrival in California, she enjoyed a fruitful 
career as a school teacher. Once in California, she became a successful 
real estate broker. In 1992, she expanded her career, earning an M.A. 
in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. Her education and experience 
made her keenly aware of the acute need for affordable housing in 
Southern California and prompted her to dedicate time, energy and 
resources to creating affordable housing for low-income children, 
seniors and families. She used her business acumen and extensive 
knowledge of the industry to positively impact numerous low-income 
families. Kathy is currently President of Desert Horizons Women's Club, 
a member of the Board of Directors of Desert Horizons Owners 
Association and an avid golfer.
  On a personal note, both Ira and Kathy are wonderful human beings, 
delightful to be with and deeply committed to humanitarian ideals. I 
think it's particularly noteworthy that Ira--as a leader in the 
California Association of Realtors 39 years ago--played a decisive and 
public role in fighting an initiative designed to repeal California's 
Fair Housing law. It took great courage to take a view not widely held 
by his professional colleagues at that time, and he put himself into 
considerable potential risk to his business endeavors, but Ira 
nonetheless steadfastly affirmed his opposition to racism and his 
commitment to the American dream of affordable housing for all people.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating and 
thanking Ira and Kathy Gribin for their many outstanding contributions 
and to wish them continued success.

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