[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 25TH YEAR OF 
           SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2001

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
tribute to the Hon. Sheldon Silver. Mr. Silver is one of New York's 
greatest public servants, representing Manhattan's Lower East Side in 
the New York State Assembly for 25 years where he currently serves as 
Speaker. Speaker Silver has worked diligently to improve the lives of 
his constituents, as well as the lives of all New Yorkers. His 
outstanding legislative achievements will serve as a model for future 
members of the New York State Assembly for years to come.
  In 1976, Speaker Silver was first elected to the Assembly. In 1985, 
Speaker Silver was named chair of the Assembly Election Law Committee 
and served as co-chair of the Temporary State Commission on Voting 
Machine Equipment and Voter Registration Systems. In 1987 he became 
chair of the prestigious Assembly Committee on Codes. In 1992 Speaker 
Silver was appointed chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, 
and on February 11, 1994 he was elected Speaker of the New York State 
Assembly. Speaker Silver is dedicated to re-establishing the Assembly 
as the guardian of New York's middle-class and working families.
  During his tenure in office, Speaker Silver has had many significant 
legislative achievements. He has always made education a priority, and 
his education initiative, LADDER (Learning, Achievement, Development by 
Directing Educational Resources), led to the enactment of the first 
statewide prekindergarten program for all 4-year old children in the 
nation. In addition, LADDER emphasized educational standards to ensure 
that all students received proper and complete education. It also 
focused on reducing class sizes to improve teacher to student ratios 
and reduces overcrowding. Many of us in Congress continue to advocate 
for these educational policies, Mr. Speaker, but Sheldon Silver of New 
York implemented them for our state years ahead of the curve.
  Additionally, Speaker Silver has made a strong effort to curb drug 
usage in New York. Under his leadership, the Safe Streets-Safe Cities 
Program was enacted, which established harsher penalties for drug-
related crimes. It also declared money laundering illegal in order to 
assist law enforcement in their battle against organized crime.
  Speaker Silver has also been a vocal supporter of women's health 
issues, as well as reducing energy costs. He has also been a national 
leader in ensuring religious freedom for all people. These are just a 
few examples of literally hundreds of positive legislative actions that 
Speaker Silver has taken to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the life and work of Speaker Silver, and I ask 
my fellow Members of Congress to join me in recognizing his 
extraordinary contributions to the State of New York and to our great 
nation.

                          ____________________