[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARTIN BEGUN

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to bring to the attention 
of my colleagues the outstanding achievements of a community leader who 
is truly dedicated to public service.
  Martin S. Begun serves as senior associate dean of the New York 
University School of Medicine and vice president of external affairs of 
New York University Medical Center. Dean Begun serves as liaison to 
government officials on the city, State and Federal level. In addition, 
Marty oversees the public affairs and alumni relations offices of NYU 
Medical Center and School of Medicine.
  In July of 1995, in tribute to his years of activism and leadership 
in the Jewish community, Marty also assumed the presidency of the 
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. JCRC is a 
representative organization encompassing over 60 major civic, communal, 
educational and religious groups within New York City's diverse Jewish 
community.
  As long as I have known Marty, he has been deeply involved in 
community service. He is a man who lives by the Talmudic maxim: ``If I 
am not for myself, who will be? and if I'm only for myself, what am 
I?''
  Marty has worked tirelessly to raise the standards of the NYU Medical 
School. That is a critical task which affects Americans nationwide. 
Three medical schools in New York, NYU Medical School included, train 
approximately 15 percent of all doctors who practice medicine in the 
United States. What is good for NYU Medical School is good for the 
American people.
  Marty is always up-to-date on public policy. A long-time advocate for 
compassionate care for the homeless mentally ill, Marty often advises 
prominent public figures on the subjects of health care, public health, 
community relations and Jewish affairs. He was an excellent resource 
for me when health care reform was at the top of the national agenda in 
the 103d Congress. He advised me on the viability of the Clinton health 
plan, taking into consideration how it would impact not just the 
hospital and the medical school, but my constituents and New York City 
in general.
  While he sees the big picture, Marty never loses sight of the 
details. Throughout his tenure at NYU, Marty has seen to it that 
expansion of the NYU Medical Center complex has been carried out with 
great sensitivity to quality of life in the community.
  Until 1994, Marty also served the city of New York for 18 years as 
chairman of the community services board of the city's department of 
mental health, mental retardation and alcoholism services. He continues 
to sit on the boards of the executive committee of the Associated 
Medical Schools of New York, and, by appointment of the Governor of New 
York State, on the Battery Park City Authority.
  Mr. Speaker, for all of his good work; for his compassion; for his 
commitment to his community, his city and his country, Marty Begun has 
earned a reputation as mensch. I owe Marty a debt of gratitude for 
doing so much fine work in my district. And the city of New York owes 
him much, much more.

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