November 20, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2081 Model incorporates the concepts of Healthy oldest Sephardic Jewish congregation in New TRIBUTE TO CHAPLAIN (MAJOR) People 2010, and it has been used in improv- Jersey, as it celebrates the 350th anniversary FLOYD L. WHITE III ing the quality and efficiency of the public of the founding of the Jewish community in the health nursing practice. The creation and use United States. HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS of this model in one of the largest, most di- Etz Ahaim has been serving the Sephardic OF NEW JERSEY verse, and dynamic settings in the country IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES community of New Jersey for more than sev- represents a tremendous advance in strength- Friday, November 19, 2004 ening and expanding population-focused pub- enty-five years. It was founded by Jewish im- lic health nursing. The influence of the model migrants who named the congregation Etz Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to has extended well beyond the boundaries of Ahaim, ‘‘Tree of Life,’’ after the oldest syna- celebrate the retirement of Chaplain (Major) California, with its adoption by the City of De- gogue in Salonica, Greece. Founded at the Floyd L. White III from the United States Army troit and the State of Michigan. start of the Great Depression, the synagogue Reserve, and to recognize his years of service Margaret Avila provided the strategic and struggled to stay afloat. Unable to afford a to his community and country. Chaplain White served his country for 20 creative leadership for this effort. Her career rabbi, they relied on the uncompensated serv- proud years, from June 4, 1983, to November path has included excellence in practice, in ices of Rabbi Benjamin Naar of Salonica, and 7, 2003. His role in the U.S. Army Reserve education, and in leadership. on unordained lay leaders Eliyahu Nahama took him across the country and across the Ms. Avila is a native of Los Angeles County and Elie Saporta until 1955. world. He served as a Battalion Chaplain for and a product of the California educational Since then, Etz Ahaim has been lead by the 457th and 451st Chemical Battalions in system. She received a Diploma of Nursing Greenville, SC, and as a Brigade Chaplain for from St. Vincent’s College of Nursing, and a Rabbis Ishmael Cohen, Murray Greenfield, two brigades at Fort Dix, NJ. He served over- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount St. Rafael Wizman, David Glicksman, Yamin seas in South Korea in Operation Team Spirit Mary’s College in Los Angeles. She has prac- Levy, and, from 1991 until today, Rabbi David in 1990, and in 2001 he served in a Warfighter ticed as a staff nurse, a public health nurse, Bassous. It has grown since its incorporation in April of 1927 from a circle of 25 worshipping Exercise in Grafenwoehr, Germany. a nurse practitioner, a state nurse consultant, Chaplain White is also a dedicated and mo- in private residences, to a small community of and an adjunct nursing faculty member. She tivated community leader. He is the Pastor of 75 families in a building on Richmond Street, has served as the Director of Nursing at the the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles County Department of Public New Brunswick, to a vibrant congregation of Camden, NJ, and is President of the Wood- Health since 1999. She currently serves on 155 families in Highland Park. What was once land Community Development Corporation. He the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter of the a small group, barely able to afford the mort- serves on the boards of the Cooper University National Association of Hispanic Nurses. gage on their building during the Great De- Hospital Foundation, the United Way of Cam- Despite all of her success, Ms. Avila is pression is now a thriving community and reli- den County, the Camden Eye Center, and the never content to rest on her laurels. She has gious center of New Jersey. Cooper Ferry Camden Waterfront Develop- dedicated her life and knowledge to increasing Today, Etz Ahaim is deeply involved in the ment Board. opportunities for others. As a result, the Public Middlesex County community. They sponsor Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor Health Nursing Section of the American Public community outreach, philosophy classes, Chaplain White today. He embodies the Amer- Health Association awarded Ms. Avila the ican spirit of service to one’s family, commu- dance lessons, educational opportunities. Etz 2004 Lillian Wald Service Award. She re- nity, and country. I thank him for his dedicated Ahaim also has an active Sisterhood as old as ceived this award by demonstrating initiative service and wish Chaplain Floyd White all the and resourcefulness in developing efforts to the congregation itself, and which just came best in his future endeavors. out with a Sephardic cookbook, ‘‘Come, es improve the health of the public through polit- f ical, legislative, and interdisciplinary activism. Bueno.’’ On Sunday, November 7, they will be This noteworthy achievement highlighted her celebrating the 350th anniversary of the start TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN leadership role in promoting social reform ac- of the Jewish community in the United States. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI tivities for client groups, influencing health pol- Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge SPEECH OF icy and health laws, strengthening public the profound cultural achievements of Con- health nursing practice, and collaborating with gregation Etz Ahaim, both for the Sephardic HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ OF ILLINOIS other health care workers, legislators, and community, and for Highland Park in general. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES public officials. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Margaret Avila is retiring as Director of them, and their many years of service to Jew- Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Nursing for the Los Angeles Public Health De- ish life in the United States. Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise this partment. She is going into private practice evening to recognize my good friend, Con- and is establishing a woman’s clinic in the un- f gressman BILL LIPINSKI, and to thank him for derserved Pico Union area of Los Angeles. his 22 years of service and vision and leader- Her goal is to provide health access to low in- PERSONAL EXPLANATION ship in Congress. come women to improve their quality of life. I know we use the word—friend—often in She also plans to seek her doctorate degree. this body. Usually right before we are about to Mr. Speaker, today I would like to personally HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK disagree with our colleagues. acknowledge and commend Margaret for her We say things like, I have a lot of respect dedication to the field of nursing which en- OF MICHIGAN for my good friend from Illinois, but I couldn’t riches and promotes the health of our commu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES disagree more with his staunch support of the nity. She is a model of the passionate Amer- Chicago White Sox. ican educator, and a devoted and involved cit- Friday, November 19, 2004 But as much as we use the word ‘‘friend’’ to izen. I know the rest of the House will join me frame our debates, I have always felt that in congratulating Ms. Margaret Avila and wish- Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, personal Congress actually is a tough place to build ing her success in her future endeavors. reasons require me to return to my district, real, lasting friendships. f and I am unable to be present for legislative That is why Mr. LIPINSKI will be so missed. business scheduled after 3 p.m., Wednesday, Because while it’s true that I hardly knew THE CONGREGATION ETZ AHAIM November 17, 2004. Had I been present, I BILL LIPINSKI when I arrived here in 1993, it’s IN RECOGNITION OF 75 YEARS OF would have voted ‘‘aye’’ on H.R. 1417, the more true now that I can hardly imagine not SERVICE Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act having Bill as one of my best friends and allies of 2004 (Rollcall No. 532), and ‘‘aye’’ on S. in public service. HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. 2302, a bill to improve access to physicians in I will miss his effectiveness and his leader- OF NEW JERSEY medically underserved areas (Rollcall No. ship, but more than that I will miss his day-to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 533). day presence and his friendship. And I know I am not alone. Friday, November 19, 2004 I would appreciate it if my remarks would Because Mr. LIPINSKI has been such a good Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to appear in the appropriate place in the friend to so many of us in this body, on both acknowledge Congregation Etz Ahaim, the RECORD. sides of the aisle. E2082 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 20, 2004 And he has been such a good friend and place awards. In addition to their group matches, both at home and away. Your effort unwavering champion for the people of Illinois. awards, Marcus Drum Line became the first means the world to them and you all should As the late Chicago Sun-Times Columnist high school to earn all of the competition’s in- be proud. Steve Neal put it, Mr. LIPINSKI, ‘‘gets things dividual awards: Best Snare Line, Best Tenor Mr. Speaker, I know that these young done.’’ Drums, Best Bass Drums, Best Cymbals and women will go far in their future endeavors as And that is what has been the cornerstone Best Front Ensemble. they have already demonstrated they have of his career.