[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              REMEMBERING HAROLD LEONARD ``LENNY'' KAUFER

 Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today I recognize the life and 
legacy of New Jerseyan Lenny Kaufer, who passed away on July 13 at the 
age of 92. Lenny was a dear friend and inspiration to me at the very 
dawn of my career in public service. He will be greatly missed by all 
who knew him.
  Harold Leonard Kaufer was born on August 25, 1921, in Newark, NJ, 
where he was raised with his 10 siblings in the Roseville neighborhood 
by his parents, Abraham and Gussie. As a son of Newark, a graduate of 
its schools, and a New Jersey small business owner, Lenny cared 
passionately about New Jersey and its future, cheering the revival of 
its largest city and keeping track of the news ``back home.'' He 
considered Newark and New Jersey to be at the very core of his 
identity, and even though his retirement took him to California, he 
kept a book of historic photos of Newark on his bedside table until the 
day he died. Lenny never forgot where he came from.
  I had the great fortune to get to know Lenny during my time on the 
Newark City Council and as mayor. I consider him to have been one of 
the more gentle, kind souls I have ever met, and I appreciated his 
sound perspective and sage advice. I treasure the conversations we 
shared, as well as his undeterred love of Newark, and I will miss his 
wisdom.
  Above all else, Lenny was devoted to his family. In 2012, he and his 
wife Shirley celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and they found 
great pleasure in the time spent with their daughter, three 
grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Lenny always gave loved 
ones a kiss for the road. As a man of faith, after moving to 
California, he maintained a membership at his temple in New Jersey, 
just so he could ensure that his family there would always have a home 
for the High Holidays.
  Lenny is mourned by his wife Shirley, his daughter Jacqueline, 
sisters Madeline and Helga, brother Irwin, three grandchildren, two 
great-grandchildren, a large extended family, and his many friends and 
neighbors. Lenny touched so many lives over his 92 years. He was an 
American treasure. He demonstrated the truth that so often the biggest 
thing you can do in any day is a small act of kindness, decency, or 
love. Lenny lived every day with constant kindness, unyielding decency, 
and a remarkable love for others. I ask that the Senate join me in 
honoring him and remembering his extraordinary life.

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