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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JERRY EPSTEIN
______
HON. TED LIEU
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, October 21, 2019
Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my
colleague Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, to celebrate the life of
Mr. Jerry Epstein, who passed away at the age of 96 on September 2,
2019 in Los Angeles, California. Jerry was an integral part of the
development of Los Angeles County through his involvement in real
estate, construction, and philanthropic causes.
Born on August 29, 1923 as the only child of Meyer and Tilda Epstein,
Jerry was raised in the Bronx and Mount Vernon, New York. Shortly after
the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jerry enlisted in the military, serving as
an enlisted man and commissioned officer in the United States Army and
Air Force. He flew in B-17 and B-29 bombers and served on active duty
during multiple island invasions in the Pacific Theater during World
War II.
After the war, Jerry enrolled at Emory University, where he met the
love of his life, Pat. They were married on December 26, 1948 and
celebrated more than 66 years together before she passed on July 22,
2015.
In 1949 Jerry and Pat moved to Los Angeles, where Jerry initially
worked for Pat's family business. In 1952, Jerry became involved in
real estate, including the development and management of multi-family
rental apartments, as well as the initial creation and development of
Marina del Rey, now the largest pleasure boat harbor community in the
world.
Jerry took pride in his service on several local and state public
bodies focused on transportation infrastructure and public building
construction. He was appointed to the Los Angeles County Economy and
Efficiency Commission in the 1970s and was the first chairman of the
Energy Commission for the City and County of Los Angeles. Jerry also
served as a chairman of the California Transportation Commission and
vice chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
As a trustee of Saint John's Hospital and Health Center Foundation in
Santa Monica for more than 40 years, Jerry felt great pleasure working
with the compassionate sisters, doctors, nurses and staff treating and
healing patients. Jerry was also chair of the Development Committee
that oversaw the $500 million reconstruction of Saint John's after the
1994 Northridge earthquake.
Philanthropic causes played a big role in Jerry's life--he and Pat
were honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the
Boys and Girls Club of Venice, Big Brothers of America, Portals, and
Saint John's Hospital; they also supported many charities, including
the Lucille and Edward R. Roybal Foundation, the Jewish Federation, and
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles.
Jerry's impact on the communities he helped build from the ground up
is indelible. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and I are blessed to have
known and worked with Jerry on issues of importance in Southern
California. May his commitment to service inspire those of us working
toward a brighter future.
____________________
