[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING IRVING HARRIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 20, 2004, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary legacy 
of a dear friend who passed away this past week. An advocate, 
philanthropist and leading voice for children, Irving Harris left an 
indelible mark on our society.
  Recognizing early on that the key to children's success lay in their 
most formative years, birth through three. Inspiring, developing and 
supporting scores of programs and organizations dedicated to improving 
the lives of disadvantaged youngsters across the Nation, he founded the 
Erickson Institute, a child development graduate school and the Ounce 
of Prevention Fund, a public-private partnership that created and 
promoted community-based initiatives to improve early childhood 
development.
  He also helped create and fund the Yale Child Study Center which is 
nationally recognized as leaders in the field of children's trauma, 
addressing those children who have been exposed to violence.
  Irving was also a leader in the development of Zero to Three, the 
national center for infants, toddlers, and families, whose work to 
support families and promote the healthy development of babies and 
toddlers had a tremendous impact in communities across the Nation.
  Irving's work rightly brought him national recognition as a leading 
voice for children across the country.
  Irving Harris was one of those rare individuals with roots in the 
world of business and finance, who used his hard-won wealth and 
influence to help others less fortunate. His work and his diligence and 
dedication was not only remarkable but it was unceasing, a reflection 
of all that we strive to be. His sincerity was marked by the principles 
he instilled in his own family, in his children and grandchildren who 
today carry on his work on behalf of the other children of America.
  Through education, public policy development, grant making and 
advocacy, Irving Harris' vision and leadership earned him recognition 
and many honors and awards over the years. He served many 
organizations, including the National Commission on Children and the 
Carnegie Corporations' New York task force on meeting the needs of 
young children.
  It was for me personally an enormous privilege to work with Irving 
Harris over the years, and working now with his son, Bill, and with his 
grandson, David. Irving Harris knew that our young people represent the 
future and that we as a community and a Nation must give them the tools 
that they need in order to succeed. He recognized this simple fact many 
years ago and dedicated his life to fulfilling that important goal.
  I say today, thank you, Irving, for the difference that you have made 
in this country, and the millions of lives that you have made better 
through your vision, your passion, and your generous spirit of mind. 
You have been an inspiration to all of us.
  Today my thoughts and my prayers and love are with the Harris family.

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