[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           DEDICATION OF THE LESTER L. WOLFF FLIGHT FACILITY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I had the distinct honor and 
privilege of participating in the dedication ceremony of the new Lester 
L. Wolff Flight Facility at Andrews Air Force Base. This facility will 
be the headquarters of the congressional squadron of the Civil Air 
Patrol, organized in 1967 by our former colleague from New York, Mr. 
Wolff.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed fitting that this facility has been named 
in honor or our former colleague, for he has been the motivating force 
behind the organization of the squadron. He not only founded the 
congressional squadron, he virtually singlehandedly maintained the 
interest which this body has had in the squadron ever since.
  The program marking the dedication of the facility was quite 
impressive. Highly appropriate remarks were delivered by: Lt. Col. 
Patrick Carpentier, the chief of staff of the congressional squadron; 
by Lt. Col. Alva R. Appel, the squadron chaplain; and by Bryan E. 
Sharratt, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force for 
Reserve Affairs.
  Perhaps the most gratifying portion of the program, however, was the 
fact that Mr. Wolff, as active and as involved as ever, was present to 
be with us for this long overdue recognition of his talents.
  All too often, we neglect to afford proper recognition to those whose 
achievements were above and beyond the call of duty until they are no 
longer with us. Fortunately, this was not the case with Congressman 
Wolff, and he was on hand to appreciate just how much we have 
appreciated his work.
  Mr. Speaker, since as vice commander of the Congressional squadron I 
was afforded the singular honor of announcing the actual dedication and 
unveiling the plaque, I ask that the remarks I delivered on this 
sterling occasion be inserted into the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, I also ask that the inspirational speech delivered by 
our commander, the Senator from Iowa [Mr. Harkin] be also inserted at 
this point in the Record:

                   Speech by Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman

       Ladies and Gentlemen: I cannot tell you what a special 
     honor it is to be here today as we pay tribute to one of the 
     most outstanding, legislators it has been my privilege to 
     work with. For 18 years, Lester L. Wolff was one of the 
     hardest working, dedicated, and committed members of 
     Congress.
       When I first came to Congress, in 1972, Lester Wolff was 
     already here for 10 years, keeping my seat warm for me. In 
     the mid 1970's, Lester and I worked together to found the 
     House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. We 
     must remember: this was an era when few people were concerned 
     about the impact drugs were making on our society, especially 
     our youth. Our comedians used to tell jokes about drug use, 
     and our movies portrayed the pusher as the good guy. Lester 
     Wolff knew that this just wasn't right, and his determined 
     leadership of that committee helped convince first the 
     Congress, then the people, that drugs were a serious threat 
     to our society, and were no laughing matter.
       His enthusiasm in Congress carried over into the creation 
     of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. As a 
     charter member of C.A.P., Lester knew the needs of C.A.P. and 
     provided strong support for C.A.P. within Congress to insure 
     that those needs were met.
       He personally shepherded through Congress legislation 
     enhancing the Civil Air Patrol. To broaden a better 
     understanding of C.A.P. among his congressional colleagues, 
     Lester personally recruited many Members of Congress into his 
     squadron. There is no question that the wide acceptance and 
     appreciation of the work of the Civil Air Patrol by the 
     Congress today is due to the personal efforts of Lester 
     Wolff.
       This day is a very fitting tribute to Lester. His presence 
     here to personally hear the tributes to him makes this day 
     all the more significant to us. Too many times, people are 
     taken from us before their contributions are recognized. We 
     are fortunate that this was not the case with Lester Wolff, 
     for he is here to hear us proclaim how much we appreciate 
     him.
       This facility can bear the name of only one person, whose 
     contributions have been unique and tireless, Lester L. Wolff.
       Will you please now unveil the plaque?
                                  ____


                     Remarks by Senator Tom Harkin

       I am very pleased to join you today in honoring Congressman 
     Lester Wolff and in dedicating the Congressional squadron's 
     new hangar. By naming this hangar the ``Lester Wolff Flight 
     Facility'' we recognize his 53 years of dedicated Civil Air 
     Patrol public service.
       Lester Wolff has been in the Civil Air Patrol since its 
     inception. In late 1941, as the Civil Air Patrol was being 
     hastily created, he helped form one of the first operational 
     units in New York. Later, when the U.S. military was unable 
     to stop the deadly German U-Boat attacks off the Atlantic 
     Coast, he was among the first to volunteer to fly anti-
     submarine missions in small civilian aircraft. His courageous 
     efforts resulted in the possible sinking of at least one 
     German submarine. After the war he worked with the CAP cadet 
     program and was instrumental in establishing CAP's first 
     International Air Cadet Exchange between the New York Wing 
     and Canada.
       His most important service to the Civil Air Patrol, 
     however, came much later. In 1964, Lester was elected to the 
     House of Representatives where he served with distinction for 
     16 years. He was Chairman of the prestigious Subcommittee on 
     Asian and Pacific Affairs and Chairman of the Select 
     Committee on Narcotics. In 1967, he formed the Congressional 
     Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. As a member of Congress he 
     became instrumental in getting the Civil Air Patrol the 
     national recognition and vital government assistance it was 
     long overdue. Among other things, he worked closely with 
     several Air Force Chiefs of Staff, including General David 
     Jones, to gain Air Force support for the CAP.
       He was the first to suggest and demonstrate, in 1978, that 
     the CAP could play a useful role in the war against drugs. 
     Today, that is one of the Civil Air Patrol's most important 
     national missions.
       He was directly responsible for the much needed 1980 CAP 
     Supply Bill. His legislative initiatives in the 1970s also 
     paved the way for greatly improved FECA benefits and, in 
     1985, CAP's first ever appropriation for new aircraft and 
     other critically-needed equipment.
       During his years in Congress Lester Wolff did much to help 
     the Civil Air Patrol. Indeed, without his legislative 
     assistance, it is likely that the Civil Air Patrol would not 
     exist today. As Commander of the Congressional Squadron I am 
     honored to be here today as we dedicate this hangar in Lester 
     Wolff's honor. May this hangar always remind us, every time 
     we use it, of what is great about the Civil Air Patrol. Thank 
     you.

                          ____________________