October 12, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1375 CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE HONORING THE CAREER OF LOU HONORING THE LIFE OF LESTER PROGRAM PARDINI MANDELL HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGA´ N HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY HON. JIM COSTA OF FLORIDA OF CALIFORNIA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 12, 2017 Thursday, October 12, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Thursday, October 12, 2017 rise to honor the life of Lester Mandell, who because nearly 9 million children are in dan- transformed countless communities in central ger of losing health insurance. Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Florida though his work as a builder and trans- honor the legendary career of Mr. Lou Pardini. The Children’s Health Insurance Program formed countless lives through his generosity Lou is a Grammy nominated keyboardist, vo- has reduced the uninsured rate among chil- as a philanthropist. Lester passed away re- calist, composer and Fresno, California native. dren from 14 percent in 1997 to 5 percent, cently at the age of 96, leaving behind a large For the last 8 years he has been a member today. and loving family, but his legacy will live on. of the legendary rock band Chicago. Lou has Nearly 30,000 children from my state, Cali- Born in a hardscrabble Brooklyn neighbor- successfully worked alongside various high fornia, stand to lose their healthcare coverage hood, and a veteran of World War II, Lester profile musicians throughout his career. He is this winter because of Congress’s failure to re- did not graduate from college. However, nei- a distinguished composer that has base fans authorize this vital program. ther his lack of formal education nor the anti- all over the world. Semitism he frequently faced could stop Les- Healthcare is a human right, and working- ter from achieving his professional goals, be- class families need affordable doctors for their Lou Pardini was born in Omaha, Nebraska cause they were no match for his talent, te- kids. This is especially true for Latinos. More and raised in Fresno. He attended local nacity and toughness. Lester’s life was a than half of Latino children have Medicaid or schools including my alma mater San Joaquin quintessentially American story of success CHIP coverage. Memorial High School. Lou would go on to at- earned though hard, disciplined, joyful work. Congress must act immediately to pass a tend Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno. Eventually he enrolled at As one of Lester’s grandsons said about his five-year extension for CHIP funding. grandfather: ‘‘He believed that, if you did Every day we delay, we give families an- the renowned Berklee School of Music in Bos- ton to follow in his favorite musician’s foot- things the right way, you would get the right other reason to worry—that their son or result.’’ This is the essence of character. daughter will fall sick and they won’t be able steps. Lou met and married the love of his life Betsey and the two would eventually move to Lester was a master builder, in both the lit- to afford a doctor. That ongoing care for a eral and figurative sense. The homes, neigh- chronically ill child will become too expensive. Los Angeles, where Lou could fully pursue his music career. borhoods, and public parks he developed That hospitals will close their doors to them. throughout central Florida over the course of It’s time to stop playing politics and get to Lou’s natural talent was apparent early on in many decades are his most visible legacy. work on a bipartisan reauthorization for CHIP. his childhood. He could easily perform songs Lester also built bonds of a more intangible on the piano by ear. His parents took notice nature. He donated generously to many f and enrolled him in private guitar and piano causes he cared about, from scholarships for lessons when he was just five years old. As inner-city children to support for the Jewish HONORING DIANE GLASSER he grew older his taste in music progressed. community he loved so much. Lester often do- Among his favorite artists were Stevie Won- nated anonymously and rarely spoke about his HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH der, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Led Zep- donations, even to his own family. pelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. As his grandson recounts, Lester was a se- OF FLORIDA rious man who did serious work, but he did IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lou is a remarkable multitalented artist. He is known for his work with Stevie Wonder, The not take himself too seriously. He had a sense Thursday, October 12, 2017 Doobie Brothers, The Temptations, Elton of humor and light-heartedness that disarmed John, Smokey Robinson, Earth, Wind and friend and stranger alike. Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Lester’s greatest legacy, of course, is his Fire, Patti Austin, Larry Carlton and many honor the memory of Diane Glasser, a com- family. He leaves behind his wife and partner more. He has worked with artists in Rock/Pop, mitted public servant in South Florida who for life, Sonia. They were married for 70 years. R&B, Jazz, Blues and Gospel genres. passed away on October 10th at 89 years of Sonia and Lester had four children, eight age. Diane served for over 40 years as an ac- Lou’s biggest break came when his song grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. tivist, Broward School Board member, City ‘‘Just To See Her’’ was recorded by the leg- I know they miss Lester. But I hope their Commissioner, and Vice Mayor of the City of endary Smokey Robinson. The song won loss is eased by the knowledge that Lester Tamarac. Smokey his first and only Grammy for ‘‘Best was a great man and, even more importantly, From her childhood and career in Brooklyn Rhythm and Blues Vocal’’. Lou has also re- a good man. to her many years in South Florida, her pas- corded two solo albums which are fan favor- f sion for activism made an impact on everyone ites to this day. she met. She was never shy about urging oth- PAYING TRIBUTE TO LOCAL In 2009, he got a call that would truly ers to fulfill their civic duty by voting, even SOUTH FLORIDA ARTIST, XA- change his life. Following the departure of when she wasn’t on the ballot. And she was VIER CORTADA longtime member Bill Champlin, Lou was always encouraging of my efforts, working with asked to join Chicago on a permanent basis. me on many initiatives to strengthen the com- HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN This was the culmination of a career marked munity. OF FLORIDA by hard work and a true passion for his craft. In addition to holding elected office, Diane IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES served on several boards, including the Senior He continues to build his fan base around Thursday, October 12, 2017 the world. As a member of Chicago, Lou tours Advisory Task Force and the Broward Human Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Rights Board. She selflessly used her voice to the world, drawing sell-out crowds wherever they go. On April 8, 2016, Chicago was in- pay tribute to a constituent and local South advocate for those whose voices she felt Florida artist, Xavier Cortada, and congratulate ducted into the 31st Rock and Roll Hall of weren’t adequately heard. him on his inaugural art exhibit titled ‘‘Florida Fame cementing their place in history. Diane also had unique experiences rep- Is’’ at the Hibiscus Gallery at Pinecrest Gar- resenting the State of Florida as a delegate to Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I dens. the past six Democratic National Conventions ask that you to join me in celebrating the ca- Throughout the years, Xavier’s passion has and as an elector in the 1996 and 2000 Elec- reer of Lou Pardini as he makes his home- been to generate awareness for our environ- toral Colleges. coming to the city of Fresno. We are honored ment and global climate change through his Our community has lost a leader whose to have Chicago performing today at the Big art work. service will always be appreciated and re- Fresno Fair. I ask you to join me in wishing His work is included at my alma mater, Flor- membered. I am honored to have called Diane Lou and his family continued success and ida International University, where he serves Glasser my friend. prosperity. as Artist-in-Residence. VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Oct 13, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A12OC8.033 E12OCPT1.