[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11787]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JERI RICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2005

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeri Rice, an 
acclaimed entrepreneur in Seattle who personifies the spirit, courage, 
and commitment to see peace in her ancestral homeland of Israel. Jeri 
Rice is a distinguished Citizen Diplomat.
  The Israel Policy Forum has selected Jeri Rice as a 2005 ``Focus on 
the Future'' Honoree. It is a wise choice and speaks volumes about the 
profound and positive impact one person can make in our world.
  Jeri Rice is fearless in tackling tough issues. I know that 
firsthand. With a self confidence rooted in faith and family, Jeri 
guides everyone she comes in contact with toward a path of peace based 
on mutual respect and moderation. She willingly--and often--opens her 
home to promote peace in the Mideast. I've joined her personal peace 
process, and I can affirm that Jeri's involvement is a shining example 
of personal commitment and heroism.
  Jeri's involvement in good and noble causes is well known and highly 
regarded in Seattle. Jeri is a founding member of the University of 
Washington Center for Women and Democracy. She is a strong advocate and 
community leader in many organizations, including: United Way; 
University of Washington Academic Medical Center; Harborview Medical 
Center; and, PONCHO. She serves on the board of the Cornish College of 
the Arts, and since 2000, Jeri has been involved with Steven 
Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. She is also a member of the International 
Women's Forum.
  Jeri is a person of deep personal conviction and strong family bonds. 
Without hesitation she proudly proclaims her mother as her heroine. 
When asked who inspires her, Jeri quickly names her son. As to the 
world leader she most admires, Jeri names Anwar Sadat.
  It is, therefore, worth recalling a passage from the historic speech 
that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat delivered to the Knesset on 
November 20, 1977: ``I have come to you so that together we should 
build a durable peace based on justice to avoid the shedding of one 
single drop of blood by both sides. It is for this reason that I have 
proclaimed my readiness to go to the farthest comer of the earth.''
  I ask every American to join me in congratulating Jeri Rice on the 
honor the Israel Policy Forum will bestow upon her. Her unwavering 
optimism reminds me of the affirmation contained in the Book of 
Ecclesiastes, ``To every thing there is a season, and a time to every 
purpose under the heaven.''
  This is the time for peace in Israel and throughout the Mideast. 
People like Jeri Rice will do everything possible to make it so. We 
honor them. We thank them.

                          ____________________