Honoring Irving Harris

HONORING IRVING HARRIS -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 20, 2004, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary legacy of a dear friend who passed away this past week. An advocate, philanthropist and leading voice for children, Irving Harris left an indelible mark on our society.

Recognizing early on that the key to children's success lay in their most formative years, birth through three. Inspiring, developing and supporting scores of programs and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged youngsters across the Nation, he founded the Erickson Institute, a child development graduate school and the Ounce of Prevention Fund, a public-private partnership that created and promoted community-based initiatives to improve early childhood development.

He also helped create and fund the Yale Child Study Center which is nationally recognized as leaders in the field of children's trauma, addressing those children who have been exposed to violence.

Irving was also a leader in the development of Zero to Three, the national center for infants, toddlers, and families, whose work to support families and promote the healthy development of babies and toddlers had a tremendous impact in communities across the Nation.

Irving's work rightly brought him national recognition as a leading voice for children across the country.

Irving Harris was one of those rare individuals with roots in the world of business and finance, who used his hard-won wealth and influence to help others less fortunate. His work and his diligence and dedication was not only remarkable but it was unceasing, a reflection of all that we strive to be. His sincerity was marked by the principles he instilled in his own family, in his children and grandchildren who today carry on his work on behalf of the other children of America.

Through education, public policy development, grant making and advocacy, Irving Harris' vision and leadership earned him recognition and many honors and awards over the years. He served many organizations, including the National Commission on Children and the Carnegie Corporations' New York task force on meeting the needs of young children.

It was for me personally an enormous privilege to work with Irving Harris over the years, and working now with his son, Bill, and with his grandson, David. Irving Harris knew that our young people represent the future and that we as a community and a Nation must give them the tools that they need in order to succeed. He recognized this simple fact many years ago and dedicated his life to fulfilling that important goal.

I say today, thank you, Irving, for the difference that you have made in this country, and the millions of lives that you have made better through your vision, your passion, and your generous spirit of mind. You have been an inspiration to all of us.

Today my thoughts and my prayers and love are with the Harris family.