[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30841]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO TOM COHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2007

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the deeds of an outstanding American, Mr. Tom Cohen, who was recognized 
October 30, 2007, for his great humanitarian efforts and tremendous 
support of the worthwhile work of Orphans International.
  Mr. Cohen's work with Orphans International began after his family 
was struck with terrible tragedy. In 2004, he lost his beloved son-in-
law, Cresenta Fernando, Ph.D., in the December tsunami, which 
devastated his native country of Sri Lanka. Out of this awful loss, Tom 
saw an opportunity to keep Cresenta's memory alive by helping to 
improve the lives of disadvantaged children throughout Sri Lanka.
  Mr. Cohen began working with Jim Luce, the founder and executive 
director of the non-profit organization Orphans International, which 
had established projects that were helping to meet the needs of 
children in other parts of the world. Together, they created a branch 
of the organization that would serve the most vulnerable children of 
Sri Lanka in honor of Cresenta.
  Orphans International Sri Lanka, or OI Sri Lanka, is a part of 
Orphans International Worldwide's network. This organization works to 
meet the physical, emotional, educational, and social needs of children 
who are victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other crises 
that have taken away their parents, homes, and their chances for a 
better life.
  Mr. Cohen is not only a compassionate philanthropist, but also an 
accomplished professional. As the head of compliance at Bear Steams, he 
has helped contribute to that company's great success.
  Mr. Cohen's work for Orphans International has been a family effort. 
Tom's wife Donna Cohen has worked tirelessly with him to raise funds 
for this worthwhile goal, and to support their daughter Ariele Cohen in 
her role as the president of the OI Sri Lanka Board of Directors and a 
member of the OI America Advisory Board.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the 
efforts of dedicated humanitarians like Tom Cohen. I am proud to 
represent such a fine man in Congress.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, everyone involved 
in Orphans International, Tom's family and friends, and me in 
recognizing Tom Cohen's outstanding service to the global community.

                          ____________________