E952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 11, 2014 the Western New York community and wishing HONORING RABBI AVI AND TOBY PERSONAL EXPLANATION her and her family the best in all of their future WEISS endeavors. HON. PETER WELCH OF VERMONT f HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW YORK Wednesday, June 11, 2014 TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RE- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently LATED AGENCIES APPROPRIA- voted ‘‘no’’ on rollcall vote No. 277, the Nadler TIONS ACT, 2015 Wednesday, June 11, 2014 Amendment to H.R. 4745. As a strong sup- porter of this amendment, my intent was to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, there is a saying vote ‘‘yes.’’ SPEECH OF that ‘‘talent does what it can, while genius f does what it must.’’ The inner strength and HON. TULSI GABBARD spirit which moves Rabbi Avi Weiss and his IN MEMORY OF DON DAVIS AND OF HAWAII wife Toby cannot be contained. The genius of HIS REMARKABLE IMPACT ON their shared vision and commitment to social THE GREATER DETROIT COMMU- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES justice shines brightly and for all to see. NITY Monday, June 9, 2014 Rabbi Weiss’ work isn’t limited to the con- fines of any city or synagogue, nor has he HON. GARY C. PETERS The House in Committee of the Whole OF MICHIGAN shied away from raising his voice to lift the op- House on the state of the Union had under IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES consideration the bill (H.R. 4745) making ap- pressed. He says that he is an activist be- propriations for the Departments of Trans- cause he has no other choice; it is something Wednesday, June 11, 2014 portation, Housing and Urban Development, he must simply do. Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I and related agencies for the fiscal year end- I believe that my dear friend responds to the rise today in honor of a great citizen of the ing September 30, 2015, and for other pur- State of Michigan, Mr. Don Davis, a pioneer in poses: calling laid out by his faith. Rabbi Weiss is compelled to act in the service of others and music and business. Mr. Davis passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at the age of 75. Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Chair, I rise today in to live by the spirit of tzedakcah. It is reflective strong support of continued funding for the He is survived by his wife, Kiko, and his three in all that he has done and all that he strives Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant. children. to do. In 1921, Congress enacted the Hawaiian A three-time Grammy winner, Don knew It is why his voice will always be heard in Homes Commission Act (HHCA) to help Na- that he had a passion for music at an early tive Hawaiians who, after the overthrow and support of the oppressed. It is why he partici- age and once told the Detroit News, ‘‘The annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, were pated in a hunger strike urging the release of music industry chose me. If there is a gene for largely disenfranchised from their traditional Soviet dissident Natan Sharanskcy. It is why music, I had one.’’ Don began his music career as a session homelands. HHCA sought to provide for the he protested for the right of Soviet Jews to musician in the early sixties for Detroit based rehabilitation of the Native Hawaiian people leave their homeland and seek haven else- Motown Records. He played guitar on their through a homesteading program that would where and it is why he denounced horrendous hits, ‘‘Money (That’s What I Want)’’ by Barrett reconnect them with former Crown Lands. acts of genocide in Darfur. Strong, a song that would later be covered by In 1959, the State of Hawaii adopted the Rabbi Weiss founded Yeshivat Chovevei The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The HHCA as a provision of its constitution in ac- Rabbinical School in order to train a new gen- Doors, and ‘‘Bye Bye Baby’’ by Mary Wells, cordance with the Hawaii Statehood Admis- eration of Orthodox rabbis to live with the spirit reaching number 45 on the Billboard Charts. sions Act, Public Law 86–3. This reaffirmed of openness that he himself exemplifies. As a songwriter, Don experienced his first the responsibility that this nation has to its in- Under Rabbi Weiss’ guidance, students learn major hit in 1968 with Johnnie Taylor’s ‘‘Who’s digenous people and forever embedded the how to serve not just the Orthodox community, Making Love,’’ which peaked at number 5 on mission of HHCA in Hawaii’s modern history but also the larger Jewish diaspora. Yeshivat the Billboard Charts. In 1976, he collaborated and society. Chovevei Rabbinical School is a family that with Johnnie Taylor again, producing the song The Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant continues to grow as each graduate takes ‘‘Disco Lady’’, the first single to be certified provides the financial means to support HHCA their place in the rabbinate. I have watched its platinum by the Recording Industry Associa- and its mission of promoting Native Hawaiian legacy grow and pray for its continued pros- tion of America. well-being through homesteading. This is an perity. Twenty years later, Don would expand be- important step towards reconciliation for the Rabbi Weiss is so well-known, that when- yond his outstanding music career to become historical injustices that underline the social ever I tell people I am from the Bronx they im- the CEO and Chairman of the First Independ- and economic inequality of our Native Hawai- mediately ask if I know Rabbi Weiss. I cannot ence Bank, the only African-American owned ians. be any more pleased to say that not only does bank in Michigan. First Independence Bank, which operates a he live in my District, but he is also my neigh- Safe and affordable housing helps to em- number of Detroit branches, has been named bor and dear friend. power families to be productive members of by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the society. Housing fulfills physical needs by pro- I would be remiss if I neglected to say that top 15 African-American owned banks in the viding security and shelter from weather and behind every good Rabbi is an equally strong country. In 2012, coming out of the Great Re- climate. It fulfills psychological needs by pro- woman who supports him. Toby Weiss has cession, First Independence Bank was able to viding a sense of personal space and privacy. been both his guiding light and the foundation record the most profitable year in its history It fulfills social needs by providing a gathering that gives him the strength to carry forth his and increase its total assets to $185 million. area and communal space for the family. work. As CEO, Don took his responsibility to his These factors combine to help ensure the community seriously. In his 18 years as CEO, well-being of our future generations, and are Religious leaders embody our hopes, aspi- rations and even our trepidations and fears. Don made it a priority to improve his commu- why continued funding for the Native Hawaiian nity by focusing on its housing needs and pro- Housing Block Grant program is so important. We look to them for guidance—for a path in which to follow—so that we might overcome viding excellent banking services to small Homesteading provided through this pro- business owners and families in Southeast the challenges before us in our own lives. gram helps to ease Hawaii’s high cost of living Michigan. and allows Native Hawaiians to remain con- Rabbi Avi Weiss and his wife Toby are truly Over many years, Don grew First Independ- nected to their traditional homelands. I strong- exemplary individuals and leaders within the ence Bank into a trusted financial institution ly urge funding for the Native Hawaiian Hous- Bronx community. Please join me in cele- with loyal customers. Don believed that First ing Block Grant program, and would like to ex- brating their legacy as Yeshivat Chovevei Independence Bank could provide quality press my support for the Native American Rabbinical School honors them for their serv- services to communities and customers who Housing Assistance and Self Determination ice and enduring commitment to making the were previously overlooked by other banks. Act as well. world a better place to live. He was successful in advancing this mission.

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