[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                DESIGNATE THE RICHARD C. LEE COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a bill to designate the 
U.S. courthouse in my hometown of New Haven, CT, as the ``Richard C. 
Lee United States Courthouse.'' I am pleased to take this opportunity 
to speak of the dedication and service that my friend and colleague, 
Richard Lee, has given the city of New Haven throughout his life. 
Richard Lee epitomizes all that a mayor should be. He is a local boy, a 
family man, a dedicated and hard working person, and most of all a 
friend to everyone. He is truly a model mayor for this century.
  After serving his tour of military duty, Dick Lee returned to New 
Haven to begin a lifetime of service to his beloved city. During four 
terms as an alderman, Dick Lee was committed to urban redesign at a 
time when most cities had not yet considered such ideas. When Lee first 
ran for mayor in 1949 he had the foresight to recognize the need for 
urban renewal. He was elected mayor in 1953 and then went on to serve 
eight terms.
  Those of us from New Haven know Richard Lee for his profound 
influence on the city, but he is well known for his signal impact on 
national urban policy. Lee fought for and won Federal funding for 
important city renewal projects. Under Lee's aegis New Haven came to 
have three times more Federal funds per capita than any other city. 
Both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson courted Lee's insight and 
innovation on urban renewal. Lee's forward thinking ideas on city 
planning were the first version of the War on Poverty.
  When the signs of an urban upheaval were noted by President Johnson, 
Richard Lee's connection to the heartbeat of cities was well 
acknowledged. The new Federal Department of Housing and Urban 
Development was created and Lee was offered a prestigious Federal 
post--which he declined because he wanted to continue his service to 
the city of New Haven.
  Anticipating the coming storm embodied in the civil rights movement, 
Lee applied for and received $2.5 million from the Ford Foundation to 
combat urban unemployment and poverty. In addition, he received the 
first Federal grant to battle juvenile delinquency. When the urban 
tensions of the civil rights movement came to a head with rioting 
across the Nation, New Haven was spared the violence which shook other 
American cities. In New Haven, not one shot was fired by a policeman 
and not a single citizen was seriously harmed.
  Under Lee's direction, the city of New Haven became one enormous 
renewal effort. Every neighborhood and school was involved in Dick 
Lee's programs and projects, and citizens of New Haven are still 
reaping the benefits today. The restoration of Wooster Square and the 
engineering buildup of Long Wharf are both credited to Dick Lee. The 
Knights of Columbus building and the Veterans coliseum were also 
projects of Lee's doing.
  While Dick Lee is known for his many achievements, projects, and 
programs, he is also known by the people of New Haven for his 
commitment to the average citizen, his community involvement, and his 
accessibility. For Dick there was no higher service than the office of 
mayor of New Haven. Time and again he rejected offers of higher 
government positions. He felt the best way to serve the city and the 
people was in the mayor's office.
  In 1980 Richard Lee was presented with the Distinguished Service 
Award for his advocacy on behalf of America's cities by the U.S. 
Conference of Mayors. The country is thankful to this man who has 
brought so much to America's cities. Most importantly, the people of 
New Haven are blessed with the presence of this hometown boy who came 
to the position of mayor and changed the face of the city.
  As a citizen of New Haven, I am grateful that I have had the 
opportunity to know and learn from this remarkable man. The Richard C. 
Lee U.S. Courthouse will be a lasting tribute to a man who was truly 
one of the most dedicated and effective mayors of this century.

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