[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE PASSING OF A DISTINGUISHED LEADER, PHILIP ROTELLA

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of regret that I 
inform our colleagues of the passing of one of the most remarkable 
public servants my 20th Congressional District of New York has ever 
produced, Philip Rotella of Haverstraw, N.Y.
  Phil Rotella first sought public office in 1946, being elected that 
year to the Board of Trustees of the Village of West Haverstraw. Two 
years later, in 1948, he sought election to the position of Town 
Justice of the Peace, and the then-President of the United States, 
Harry Truman, came to Haverstraw to campaign for Phil. He was 
successful in that 1948 contest and went on to serve as Justice of the 
Peace for 15 years.
  On election day 1963, when John F. Kennedy was President, Phil 
Rotella was promoted by his voters to the office of Town Supervisor of 
the Town of Haverstraw. Phil was re-elected by the voters every two 
years continually until he voluntarily retired in 1997. During his 
tenure of 34 years as Town Supervisor, Phil Rotella was known for his 
skill in saving the taxpayer's dollars while providing superb town 
services.
  Instead of issuing bonds which had to be repaid by future taxpayers, 
Phil Rotella squirreled money away, financing a new police and 
courthouse building in 1974, a new Town Hall and public library in 
1981, and a new highway garage in 1992 by his frugal fiscal policy.
  Supervisor Rotella, throughout his 34 year tenure, earned a 
reputation for preserving parkland for future generations. He convinced 
our local utility company to donate a park to the townspeople in 
exchange for allowing them to construct a second power plant. He 
spearheaded the construction of one of the superb marinas on the entire 
Hudson River, and his town makes about $250,000 a year from marina 
concession fees. In 1981, Phil successfully negotiated the purchase of 
Cheesecote Mountain Park from the State of New York for one dollar.
  During most of his tenure as Town Supervisor, Phil Rotella also 
served in the additional capacity as a Rockland County Legislator, as 
is permissible in that county. In that position, he also fought to make 
certain that his Town received its due from the county government.
  The closest Phil came to facing political defeat during his entire 
elective career of over 50 years was when, in 1983, the opposition was 
successful in removing Phil's entire political party from the November 
ballot due to a legal technicality. It is a remarkable tribute to Phil 
Rotella's incredible popularity that he was re-elected that year by 
receiving over 5,000 valid write in votes which in New York State are 
extremely difficult to validly cast.
  Our region has truly lost a giant public servant in the passing of 
Phil Rotella. To his widow Marilyn, to his daughters Carolyn and Diane, 
to his sons John and Philip Jr., his three stepsons Jack, Edward and 
Arthur, his stepdaughter Esther, his 13 grandchildren and 12 great-
grandchildren we extend our sincere condolences. Although mere words 
cannot assuage the grief of losing this remarkable man, it is hoped 
that his many loved ones will have the consolation that he was an 
outstanding public servant who will long be missed by so many of us.

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