[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 141 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN HONOR OF NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN DENIS BUTLER ON HIS RETIREMENT 
                   AFTER TWENTY-FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2000

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
New York State Assemblyman Denis Butler, who is retiring this year 
after twenty-four years of service in the New York State Assembly, 
where he has represented the residents of his native Queens, New York 
district superbly.
  First elected in 1976, and reelected every year since, Assemblyman 
Butler has led a remarkably distinguished career in the State Assembly, 
where he rose to the rank of Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore in 1993. He 
has served as a senior member of the Assembly labor and Aging 
Committees, and currently serves as a member of the Rules, Analysis and 
Investigations, Economic Development, and Oversight Committees. He is 
also the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Special Problems of the 
Aging as well as the Chairman of the Assembly Queens Delegation.
  Assemblyman Butler has been a champion of the aging, disabled, and 
underprivileged, and has worked tirelessly for the working men and 
women of his district. With the support of the Assembly leadership, 
Assemblyman Butler created SCRIBE (Senior Citizens Rent Increase 
Exemption), which has helped low income seniors remain in their homes. 
Additionally, he was a prime sponsor of EPIC, New York's prescription 
drug buy plan, which has helped thousands of elderly new Yorkers pay 
for necessary medication.
  Assemblyman Butler has also been extremely active in civic affairs 
and has worked alongside local community activists on a wide range of 
issues, from improving educational and youth programs, to strengthening 
the local police presence. His caring guidance and enthusiasm have 
truly made his neighborhood a more pleasant place to live and work. 
Assemblyman Butler's service in Albany has been extraordinarily 
beneficial to his Queens, New York constituents, and I applaud him on 
such an esteemed career.
  Assemblyman Butler began his career in politics after completing his 
education, which included a significant amount of time at seminary 
school, and working as an account executive and sales manager in the 
fields of television and radio broadcasting. Throughout his years 
serving his community in the legislature, time and again. Assemblyman 
Butler has proven to be a community-driven and compassionate 
legislator. He is one of the original founders of the 114th Auxiliary 
Police Corps, the past president of St. Joseph's Home School 
Association, and has also served as a member of the St. Joseph's Parish 
Council. For twenty-eight years, Assemblyman Butler has organized the 
annual Toys for Tots Drive. Assemblyman Butler has been honored by 
numerous organizations, among them, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 
2348, the Long Island Chapter Knights of Columbus, and the Federation 
of Italian-American organizations of Queens, Inc.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to pay tribute to such a 
respectable man. Assemblyman Butler has demonstrated that the work of a 
legislator is not only a rewarding opportunity for the person in 
office, but also immeasurably helpful to local communities. Assemblyman 
Butler has served as an enormously valuable resource and public servant 
to his Queens constituents and I am sure his services will be missed.

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