LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Debra J. Berger, founder of
Project Interchange

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals of world renown who distinguished
themselves through their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Debra Berger, the founder of Project Interchange that sent
influential leaders to Israel, died on Wednesday, September 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Project Interchange, which Debra Berger founded in 1982 and
became an institute of the American Jewish Committee a decade later,
brought more than 5,000 leaders to Israel from more than 60 countries
for weeklong educational visits; and
WHEREAS, Debra Berger founded Project Interchange out of a desire to
inform the American public about Israel; the mission, she reasoned,
could best be realized through educational visits for groups of highly
influential leaders, who upon returning home could share their perspec-
tives with vast audiences, thus shaping their public opinion on Israel;
and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Debra Berger sent off a delegation of congressional
staff from the United States, marking Project Interchange's inaugural
program; she ran Project Interchange first from her home and then from
an office in Washington D.C.; and
WHEREAS, A visionary and true asset to society, Debra Berger started
Project Interchange with a goal to introduce the Israel she loved to
leading American figures; she succeeded to the fullest; and
WHEREAS, Survived by her husband, Paul, Debra Berger's commitment to
excellence, and her spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of
enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Debra J. Berger leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body, pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Debra J. Berger, founder of Project Interchange; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Debra J. Berger.