January 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 17 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JACK SHIFREL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 28, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Mr. Jack Shifrel. For decades, Jack was a tireless voice for 
our veterans, the Democratic Party, and for countless other causes 
close to his heart. I was blessed to count him as a close friend. He 
was one of the very first people to endorse me for public office. He 
supported me in three losing causes, and in 1992 when I was first 
elected to Congress. I will always be eternally grateful to my dear, 
dear friend.
  Jack dedicated his life to serving our community. As a proud veteran, 
he worked tirelessly to ensure that his fellow veterans had access to 
the services they rightfully deserved. He was deeply committed to 
improving access to health services, and his advocacy helped make it 
safer and easier for veterans to access the VA Clinic in Sunrise, 
Florida. Among the many hats Jack wore was that of the President of the 
Broward Veterans Coalition, where the good work he did continues to 
positively affect the lives of those who have served our country.
  Jack was also known for going out of his way to mentor the next 
generation of Democratic activists, and was always available for advice 
and counsel. As a leader in the Broward Democratic Party, he was a 
delegate to five Democratic national conventions and an outspoken 
advocate for equal rights and what he considered our collective 
responsibility to each other. He was serving his 10th four-year term as 
a Democratic Party committeeman, and was just as committed to making 
our community and country stronger as the day he began. That's who Jack 
was, and he was one of a kind. He made our entire community a better 
place, and every life he touched was made better. His loss will be felt 
in Broward County for years to come.
  I extend my deepest condolences to Jack's wife, Laurie, his children 
Darrin, David, and Jillian, his siblings Lori, Myke, and Scott, his 
grandchildren, and his entire family during this extremely difficult 
time.

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