[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2490-2491]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING SY AND ESTELLE OPPER

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to note that Sy and 
Estelle Opper are being honored on February 29, 2004 in Sacramento, CA 
on the occasion of the Shalom School's ``Lighting the Way Gala'' for 
their lifelong contributions to improving our society. Sy and Estelle's 
extraordinary dedication to helping others is worthy of this special 
recognition.
  The Oppers have an exceptional history of humanitarian work. They 
provided goods and services to their community as owners of five 
plumbing supply stores and shared their success and time with deserving 
causes close to their hearts.
  In addition to traveling to Israel for several missions, the Oppers 
are long-time members of American Israel Public Affairs Committee, 
AIPAC. Sy and Estelle are major donors and participants and helped the 
Jewish Federation purchase the property and building where Shalom 
School, Sacramento's only Jewish Day School, is located. Sy Opper has 
served as president of the board for several Jewish organizations, 
including the Jewish Federation and B'nei Israel Congregation, and is 
currently serving on the board of the Trust Fund for the Jewish Elderly 
and the Jewish Family Service Board.

[[Page 2491]]

Estelle Opper has also been active in many Jewish organizations such as 
Hadassah, TDX, Sisterhood, Jewish Family Service and the Grandparents 
Club at Shalom School.
  Children's and health causes have also been a priority for the 
Oppers. Sy has personally contributed and organized fund raising for 
the Washington Neighborhood Center of Sacramento. This center provides 
after-school programs that include performing arts classes and tutoring 
to at-risk children and teens. Estelle has supported and helped raise 
funds for the Breast Cancer Fund of San Francisco and the River Oaks 
Center for Children, a multi-service behavioral healthcare agency for 
abused children and their families. Estelle has also raised funds for 
the City of Hope National Medical Center that provides assistance to 
millions of people battling life-threatening diseases.
  I applaud Sy and Estelle for committing their lives to the betterment 
of their community and beyond, and extend my sincere best wishes for 
their continued health, happiness and good work. Sy and Estelle Opper 
are distinguished members of the Sacramento community, and it is with 
great pleasure that I recognize them today.

                          ____________________