[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 91 (Thursday, June 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO JERRY BERGER, SUFFOLK COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS 
                              COMMISSIONER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 1999

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true community 
leader, a visionary in the election process--Jerry Berger, the Suffolk 
County Republican Commissioner of Elections, who will be sorely missed 
upon his upcoming retirement.
  Jerry Berger started at the Suffolk County Board of Elections on June 
1, 1974 working on voting machines in the warehouse. Shortly 
thereafter, Jerry was appointed to the position of Campaign Finance 
Director. Since this was a new position, Jerry worked with the New York 
State Board of Elections and proceeded to co-author the first Campaign 
Finance Guide Book that was used throughout New York State. In 1978, he 
was appointed Deputy Commissioner, and in 1992 he was appointed 
Commissioner of Elections and was reappointed in 1994 and 1998.
  As Commissioner, Jerry implemented the computerization and 
modernization of the Suffolk County Board of Elections which has been 
the first throughout New York State to certify its election results 
during his entire tenure as Commissioner. Due to Jerry's innovative 
thinking, an inspector's instructional video was developed and is being 
used at all inspector training seminars. A natural leader, Jerry knows 
that ensuring the outstanding management of the election process meant 
forming an effective training system of its administrators--a move that 
will benefit the voters of Suffolk County for years to come.
  Jerry's propensity for fairness and his devotion to his position as 
Commissioner can only be emulated, never replaced. He has worked 
tirelessly for the people of Suffolk County, putting aside politics in 
the most political of environments. Jerry typifies what the public 
wants in a ``Public Servant'' and we have been truly blessed to count 
him as our friend and neighbor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring Jerry Berger and to recognize his commitment to 
promoting all that is good in Suffolk County for his family and his 
community. We will sure miss Jerry, and we wish he and his wife, 
Marion, a wonderful retirement in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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