Resolution 190033

..Title Honoring Judge Harold Berger, lawyer, electrical engineer, philanthropist and recipient of many accolades in recognition of the virtuous life which he has led. ..Body WHEREAS, Since 1951, Harold Berger has been a diligent legal practitioner working tirelessly to improve and educate the legal community; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger in one of the founders of Berger & Montague, P.C. where he participated in complex national litigations including the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Litigation and the Three Mile Island Litigation; and WHEREAS, As a former Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia Judge Berger has long given his service to the legal community as well as the judiciary. Additionally, Harold Berger is a permanent member of the Judicial Conference of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger displays an unyielding dedication to the legal community though his service on many committees including; as Chair of the Federal Bar Associations National Committee on the Federal and State Judiciary, as a Chair of both Judicial Selection and International Law Committees of the Philadelphia Bar Association, as a National Chair of the FBA's Alternate Dispute Resolution, and as the President of the Federal Bar Association's Eastern District Chapter; and WHEREAS, Harold Berger has consistently demonstrated his commitment to education throughout the course of his career. A graduate of both the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Judge Berger continues to serve on multiple Penn boards and committees. In 2017 Penn Law awarded him the Inaugural Lifetime Commitment Award which recognizes graduates who have demonstrated a new standard of excellence; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger has authored numerous law review articles and has lectured extensively before Bar Associations and at universities; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger has long been active in various philanthropic ventures. Growing up in the only Jewish family in a small Pennsylvania coal mining town, Judge Berger values the importance of keeping the Jewish community together. Accordingly, Judge Berger works with many Jewish charities including the Federation of Jewish Charities of Greater Philadelphia, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Anti-Defamation League; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger's paternal grandparents immigrated from Poland and prompted him to help refugees resettle in America. In his efforts to assist refugees, Judge Berger holds the position of National Director at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) which protects refugees of all faiths. HIAS recognized Judge Berger for his service by presenting him with the Children of the American Dream Award; and WHEREAS, Harold Berger's exemplary commitment to the legal field and charitable work have made him the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Judge Berger recently received the National Lifetime Achievement Award from Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law; awards that recognize "individuals who have achieved distinction in their profession or industry and have excelled for a period of over 20 years" ; and WHEREAS, Judge Berger has earned the adoration of our great City and the national community through his numerous contributions to academia, his many accolades, and his relentless efforts to serve Jewish and refugee populations; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honors Judge Harold Berger for his service to the legal community, the judiciary community, and for his commitment to public service. ..End