[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17057-17058]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GERARD AND LILO LEEDS

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor my friends Gerry and 
Lilo Leeds for their passionate commitment to improving the Nation's 
education system and helping all students reach their maximum 
potential.
  Gerard and Lilo Leeds arrived in the United States after fleeing 
Germany in 1939 with virtually no money. But armed with their 
education, they eventually became successful entrepreneurs. In time, 
they built and then sold a sizable media corporation and have devoted 
their lives to ensuring that all students have access to an excellent 
education.
  Initially, the Leeds founded the nonpartisan Institute for Student 
Achievement an organization that works in low-income middle and high 
schools to improve student achievement for at-risk youth. They were 
major supporters of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, a coalition of 
concerned parents and education advocates working to reform New York 
State's school finance system. The Leeds also established the 
nonpartisan Caroline and Sigmund Schott Foundation an organization that 
works on early childhood education and care, gender equity, and 
education financing issues.
  However, Gerry and Lilo Leeds did not stop there. After seeing the 
Institute for Student Achievement boost graduation rates in low-
performing schools up as high as 90 percent, they founded the 
nonpartisan Alliance for Excellent Education in 2001 to singularly 
focus on advancing public policy to decrease dropout rates and prepare 
all students to succeed at the postsecondary level. The Alliance for 
Excellent Education has advocated on behalf of secondary school youth 
now for over 10 years thanks to the leadership and support of the Leeds 
family.
  Mr. and Mrs. Leeds have worked to improve the education of students 
from every background, location, and age. Lilo Leeds has made education 
for students in less affluent communities, universal early education, 
and the advancement of women the focus of her work. She is also the co-
founder of the Great Neck/Manhasset Community Child Care partnership. 
Gerry Leeds is the co-founder of the National Academy for Excellent 
Teacher, NAfET at Teachers College, Columbia University. Together, they 
are recipients of humanitarian awards from the Urban League, NAACP, New 
York State United Teachers Association, and the American Jewish 
Committee. They were listed by Newsday in the top 100 people who have 
shaped the century, an amazing feat especially considering the 
obstacles they both had to overcome.
  This couple has provided countless opportunities for children to 
succeed. I believe they have been so committed to this cause in part 
because they see

[[Page 17058]]

themselves in children who have to overcome tremendous obstacles to 
thrive. Fundamentally, the Leeds feel a responsibility to act to 
improve the world around them; and their actions have made a difference 
for the Nation's students.
  Mr. President, I would like to thank Gerry and Lilo for their 
contributions and dedication to young people all across this country.

                          ____________________