[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                CONGRATULATING SENATOR GERALD CARDINALE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate state Senator 
Gerald Cardinale on receiving the prestigious Lincoln Award from the 
Woodcliff Lake Republican Club in recognition of his many years of 
service in the New Jersey Legislature and service to the community. 
This award is given to officials who epitomize the spirit of Abraham 
Lincoln and the ideals of the Republican Party. Senator Cardinale meets 
that test and clearly deserves this high honor in recognition of his 
hard work and dedication. Whether he is raising money for the Boy 
Scouts, attending to his dental practice or giving a speech on the 
Senate floor, he is one of New Jersey's finest public servants.
  I have known Gerry Cardinale for many years and can tell you he is a 
gentleman of integrity and character. It has been a pleasure to work 
with him on projects of mutual concern in our home county of Bergen. He 
has been a source of sound advice and counsel. He has done much to make 
our community a good place to live, work, and raise a family.
  Senator Cardinale has been a member of the state senate since 1981, 
following two years in the state assembly. He is currently deputy 
majority leader and, as chairman of the powerful and influential Senate 
Commerce Committee, presides over all legislation dealing with the 
business community, labor, insurance, industry and professions. 
Legislation he has sponsored to promote business and job development 
has included unemployment and automobile insurance reforms, lawsuit 
reform, tax relief for money market mutual funds, a 30-year rent 
control moratorium for new construction and government incentives for 
formation of corporate day care centers by the private sector.
  Senator Cardinale has been involved in politics since he was elected 
to the Bergen County Republican Committee in 1962. He served as mayor 
of Demarest from 1974 to 1979 before being elected to the state 
assembly. He has been a delegate or alternate delegate to every 
Republican National Convention since 1980 except 1996 (when illness 
kept him from attending). He sought the Republican nomination for 
Governor in 1989.
  Senator Cardinale is a true citizen legislator, operating his own 
dental practice in Fort Lee since 1959. He is a graduate of St. John's 
University and the New York University College of Dentistry. In 
addition to his political and professional careers, he has been active 
with many community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, 
UNICO, the Sons of Italy, the Columbians and the Elks Club. A native of 
Brooklyn, he discovered the charms of New Jersey and moved to Fort Lee 
in 1960. He has lived in Demarest since 1964 and he and his wife, 
Carole, have raised five wonderful children in New Jersey--Marisa, 
Christine, Kara, Gary, and Nicole.
  I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating my good friend Gerald Cardinale on this occasion and 
wishing him success in the future. He is a truly dedicated public 
servant who cares deeply about those in his community and does all in 
his power to improve life in the State of New Jersey.

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