[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 119 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RALPH G. CASO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 1998

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special memorial tribute 
to Ralph G. Caso. My Congressional District, indeed all of Nassau 
County and Long Island, has suffered a tremendous loss with the death 
of Ralph Caso, one of the most distinguished public officials ever to 
serve the people of my town and county.
  Ralph Caso, husband of Grace and father of Ralph and Jolisa, was born 
and raised in Manhattan and moved with his family to Long Island in his 
youth. He was a graduate of New York University Law School and a 
veteran of World War II. While practicing law in his home community of 
Merrick, Ralph Caso became involved in local politics and was elected a 
councilman of America's most populous town--the Town of Hempstead. He 
rose to the position of supervisor and then presiding supervisor, 
serving in that position from 1965 to 1970. In 1970 he was the 
overwhelming choice of the electorate to take the position of Nassau 
County Executive, the highest elective position in the county. County 
Executive Caso was re-elected in 1973 and was the Republican nominee 
for Lieutenant Governor in 1974.
  While serving in the Town of Hempstead, Ralph Caso demonstrated 
outstanding leadership abilities. He moved immediately to improve and 
expand the town's park system, converting it into one of the finest in 
New York State. In addition, Mr. Caso demonstrated a quality for which 
he later became renowned--compassion. The father of a handicapped son, 
he founded Camp Anchor, a summer and after school camp at the seashore 
for handicapped youngsters. At the same time, Mr. Caso was credited 
with starting the building of thousands of units of low cost senior 
citizen housing units for elderly residents living on fixed incomes.
  Ralph Caso continued his visionary policies when he was elected as 
County Executive. Among other things, the Nassau County Veterans 
Memorial Coliseum, home of the New York Islanders hockey team, was 
built during his administration. In addition, the new 19-story Nassau 
County Medical Center was completed during his tenure.
  On a personal level, I wish to record my gratitude to Ralph Caso for 
agreeing to serve, during his retirement years, as my personal emissary 
to the senior citizen community where his good works will long be 
remembered.
  Mr. Speaker, Nassau County has lost one of its greatest leaders, a 
man of courage and vision. Ralph Caso will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________