[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 22923-22924] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO HOWARD J. RUBENSTEIN ON THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF RUBENSTEIN ASSOCIATES ______ HON. TOM LANTOS of california in the house of representatives Monday, September 27, 1999 Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the extraordinary talents and contributions of Howard J. Rubenstein. This evening, some two thousand government, civic, and corporate leaders will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Mr. Rubenstein's firm, Rubenstein Associates, Inc. Howard Rubenstein has been dubbed by Newsweek Magazine as the ``Dean of Damage Control'', one of America's foremost public relations consultants. His clients constitute a cross section of influential individuals and organizations, from Disney/ABC to novelist Danielle Steel, from the New York Yankees to the Duchess of York. Rubenstein's brilliance, insights, and innovative strategies have earned him great respect in the United States and around the world. Mr. Speaker, my profound admiration for Howard Rubenstein is a consequence not of his public relations skills, but rather of his passionate commitment to using his talents for the benefit of his community and his country. His public service has affected a sweeping range of civic and cultural priorities. Mr. Rubenstein is currently an advisor to the New York City Commission on the Status of Women, and he is a member of the City University of New York Business Advisory Board, the board of directors of the Center for Democracy, and the Inner-City Scholarship Fund of the Archdiocese of New York. Howard has also served on the Mayor's Committee on Business & Economic Development for New York Mayors Abraham Beame, David Dinkins, and Rudolph Giuliani, and he is currently a trustee of the Alliance for the Arts, the March of Dimes New York Chapter, the Central Park Conservancy, and the Police Athletic League. In an era when business leaders all too often fail to demonstrate a devotion to the needs of our society, Howard Rubenstein's contributions stand as a model for all others. Mr. Speaker, one particular episode stands out in my reflection upon Howard Rubenstein's service to his community. In 1991, the Brooklyn community of Crown Heights exploded in a chain reaction of violence, riots, and ever-mounting divisions between the area's African-American and Hasidic Jewish populations. These disputes divided the city and received national attention, emphasizing the difficulties of racial reconciliation. Responding to a request for his assistance from Mayor David Dinkins and other city leaders, Rubenstein undertook the difficult task of diffusing the tensions between African-Americans and Jews. He organized a ``Peace Conference'' in Crown Heights, and then planned a special ``Neighbor to Neighbor'' event at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. More than 1,300 people--both Jews and African-Americans-- viewed a showing of ``The Liberators,'' a film which depicts the liberation of Nazi concentration camps by African-American soldiers. The [[Page 22924]] screening was broadcast live on New York television, while simultaneously 500 ``Neighbor to Neighbor'' meetings were held in homes and community centers around New York City to discuss race relations. Rubenstein's efforts were critical to restoring civility and understanding in Crown Heights, and I believe that they speak volumes about the character and commitment of this outstanding man. Howard Rubenstein has come a long way since 1954, when he founded Rubenstein Associates, Inc., working on the kitchen table at his parents' home. In honor of the 45th anniversary of this event and in recognition of the outstanding contributions that he has made to his community and our country, I urge my colleagues to join me in extending warmest congratulations and our most sincere appreciation to Howard J. Rubenstein. ____________________