[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MATTHEW FELDMAN

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I stand before you saddened by the 
news that Senator Matthew Feldman has passed away. He made a lifelong 
committment to serving the citizens of New Jersey. During his 35 years 
in politics, including 22 years in the New Jersey State Senate, Matty, 
as his friends and family knew him, worked constantly to improve the 
lives of all New Jerseyans.
  The son of immigrants, Matty Feldman was born in Jersey City, NJ. He 
attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Panzer 
College. After serving as an Army Corps captain during World War II, he 
moved to Teaneck, where he resided with his wife Muriel and their three 
children. He began his political career in 1958, first as a member of 
the Teaneck Township Council and later as mayor of Teaneck. After his 
election to the New Jersey Senate in 1965, he served from 1966-68 and 
again from 1974 until his retirement in January 1994. As senate 
majority leader from 1974 to 1975, president of the senate in 1977 and 
1978, and chairman of the senate education committee for many years, 
Matty Feldman was a leader in bringing about the passage of historic 
legislation in the fields of education, youth issues, taxes, and labor.
  As the education senator, Matty was a tireless advocate of the public 
school system. Along with the 1966 landmark legislation which created 
the Department of Higher Education and the State and county system of 
colleges and universities, he was extremely proud of passing the law 
which allowed State takeover of local school districts. He also 
sponsored the Quality Education Act of 1990 and, as chairman of the 
Joint Committee on the Public Schools, he took personal interest in and 
responsibility for the implementation of the school aid law, one of the 
most ambitious in the United States. He was also a member of the 
nationwide Education Commission on the States for over 5 years.
  It is difficult to think of another New Jersey legislator who cared 
more about how government treats its citizens. Matty Feldman labored 
for 17 years to pass the Social Workers Licensing Act. He also created 
the New Jersey Motion Pictures and Television Commission. In his 
private life, he was extremely active in Jewish affairs, serving as 
State commander of the Jewish War Veterans and on the New Jersey-Israel 
Commission. Just last week, despite his ailing health, Matty was 
present for the signing by Governor Whitman of the Holocaust education 
bill, an issue about which he cared deeply.
  In each of his endeavors, Matty Feldman demonstrated uncompromising 
commitment, spirit and enthusiasm. His many accomplishments, including 
more than 30 laws designed to improve educational opportunities, 
symbolize his outstanding service to the people of New Jersey. Matty 
Feldman will be sorely missed by his friends, his family, and even 
those who knew him only through his legislative efforts. His personal 
example of dedication, integrity, and leadership will serve as a model 
for generations of public servants to follow. I am proud I knew him and 
thankful for his advice and friendship through the years.

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