[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19363-19364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    BUSINESSMAN, TEACHER, ROLE MODEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, on August 19, 2005, Sam Gordon will 
celebrate his 90th birthday, surrounded by his loving wife of 66 years, 
Carolyn, his family and his friends. I rise today to honor Sam, who 
continues to be an inspiration and a blessing to all who know him.
  Sam Gordon is the son of a milkman, and his friendly, welcoming 
manner was forged during the trips he made as a young man to the homes 
of his customers in Worcester, Massachusetts. The oldest of four 
children born to Russian immigrant parents Pearl and Reuben Gordon, Sam 
has the curiosity and creativity that belies his senior citizen status. 
After working his way through the University of Michigan with a series 
of part-time jobs, Sam graduated as an English Major in 1937. He then 
joined his father's milk business and quickly developed a new concept--
selling frozen food items, which were just becoming available with the 
invention of refrigeration. Sam's idea to offer frozen food along with 
milk, cream and cottage cheese led to the formation of a successful new 
business, R. Gordon and Sons, a wholesale frozen food company which 
sold frozen strawberries, juice, ice cream and other products to 
supermarkets, schools and hospitals.
  Despite his demanding work schedule, Sam was a leader in his 
synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester. He served as 
president of the Congregation, president of the Congregation's 
brotherhood, and president of the New England Region Men's Club. Prayer 
and community service continue to be central parts of Sam's everyday 
life. For the past five years, he has developed and run a senior 
learning initiative where he teaches Yiddish classes to many adult 
learners throughout Worcester, including classes at his synagogue, 
independent and assisted living buildings, and at the local Jewish 
Community Center, where some of his students are still in middle 
school. At the synagogue, he continues to be responsible for many 
creative ideas and fundraising projects. As always, his wife Carolyn 
plays the indispensable supporting role for Sam's many projects.
  Whenever he had the opportunity, Sam set out with his wife to travel 
to interesting places around the world. They visited Europe, Israel, 
China, Thailand, and Singapore. Before he embarked on his journeys, Sam 
always thoroughly researched points of interest, including cooking and 
stained glass classes and local wineries. In his retirement, Sam 
continues his love of music by playing the organ and more

[[Page 19364]]

recently taking lessons on his new keyboard. An Internet aficionado 
since the mid-1990's, Sam is online everyday, keeping current with news 
and trends. He continues to amaze his grandchildren with his up-to-the-
minute knowledge of the latest developments in art, literature, and 
popular culture. Sam attends synagogue services daily and prayer is a 
powerful force in his life.
  Sam is a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Carolyn, and he 
shares his zest for life through his honesty, integrity, knowledge, and 
sensitivity to his family and community. Sam's beloved mother, Pearl, 
taught him these values, instilling in him the importance of 
establishing ``a good name'' and reputation that stood for 
righteousness and respect for others. As his ninetieth birthday 
approaches, the name ``Sam Gordon'' is synonymous with these enduring 
American values.
  Sam and Carolyn have two children, Nancy and Joel; four 
grandchildren, Ellen, Mark, Jennifer and Jessica; and two great-
grandchildren, Ari and Abigail.
  I am pleased to join with Sam's family and friends to honor this 
great American on his ninetieth birthday.

                          ____________________