[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E176-E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ASSEMBLYMAN DENIS BUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Assemblyman Denis 
Butler for his twenty-four years of elected service on behalf of the 
people of Queens. The Powhatan and Pocahontas Regular Democratic Club 
will honor Butler again next week for his tremendous advocacy for 
youth, senior citizens, veterans and the disabled.
  Assemblyman Butler was first elected to the New York State Assembly 
in April of 1976, and enjoyed victories in every Assembly race since 
then. During his twenty-four years in the Assembly, Mr. Butler moved up 
the ranks to become an Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, to which he was 
appointed in 1993. Assemblyman Butler previously held the positions of 
Vice-Chairman of the Majority Conference, Chairman of the Majority 
Conference and Chairman of the Committee on Standing Committees. He was 
also a member of the Executive Committee of the Eastern Regional 
Conference of the Council of State Governments.
  As Chairman of the Queens Assembly Delegation, Assemblyman Butler has 
been an unfailing advocate for Astoria and Long Island City, 
successfully securing hundreds of thousands of dollars for numerous 
recreational, cultural, educational, civic, youth, anticrime and senior 
programs throughout Queens.
  In 1998, Assemblyman Butler received the Brooklyn Diocese's Pro Vita 
award, presented to him by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero in recognition of 
his efforts on behalf of the unborn. In 1992, he was the recipient of 
the New York State Catholic Conference Public Policy Award, presented 
by John Cardinal O'Connor and the Bishops of New York State. 
Assemblyman Butler was the driving force behind the Maternity and Early 
Childhood Foundation, a non-for-profit statewide organization that 
promotes alternatives to abortion, successfully securing approximately 
17 million dollars for the Foundation since 1983.
  Assemblyman Butler is Vice-Chairman of the Queens Democratic County 
Committee and for thirty years was the Executive Member of the Powhatan 
Regular Democratic Club, one of the oldest clubs in New York State. In 
conjunction with the Powhatan and Pocahontas Clubs, Assemblyman Butler 
was the organizer for the last twenty-nine years of annual Toys for 
Tots Drive for the needy.
  Mr. Butler is a lifelong resident of the District he represented, 
covering Astoria, Long Island City and Jackson Heights. A graduate of 
La Salle Academy and Cathedral College, Assemblyman Butler also 
attended St. Joseph's Seminary, Columbia University and the State 
University at Albany. Prior to his election to the New York State 
Assembly, Mr. Butler, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, was an 
account executive and sales manager on the field of broadcasting, both 
in radio and television.
  Married to former Mary Kerr, Assemblyman Butler and his lovely wife 
have three children: Kathleen, a health care administrator; Denis, an 
attorney; and Thomas, President of Butler Associates, a Manhattan based 
Public Relations and Marketing Firm.

[[Page E177]]

  I was proud to serve with Assemblyman Butler in the New York State 
Assembly for twelve years, and I am pleased to call him a friend.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Assemblyman Butler for his 
twenty-four years of advocacy for the people of Queens and New York 
State.

                          ____________________