[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN TRIBUTE TO LARRY EPSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
Larry Epstein, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, whose long service 
and dedication to the country are deserving of special note. A man of 
great integrity and honor, Mr. Epstein has been a community leader and 
an activist on veterans' issues.
  I came to know Mr. Epstein through his leadership in the veterans 
community. He is commander of the New York County Council of the Jewish 
War Veterans of the USA (JWV), commander of Florence Greenwald 
Manhattan Post 1 and a national service officer of the JWV.
  Mr. Epstein was deeply involved in the effort to save the New York 
campus of the New York Harbor Healthcare System, located at 23rd Street 
and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. He devoted time and effort to organizing 
veterans to provide comments to the CARES Commission in support of the 
hospital. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Epstein and all of those who 
rallied behind the hospital, we were able to preserve an institution 
that provides high quality care to thousands of New York veterans. Most 
recently, Mr. Epstein joined me and Congressman Joseph Crowley in 
calling for an overall increase in Federal assistance to provide 
adequate health care for America's wounded troops.
  Mr. Epstein had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. military 
and Reserves that commenced in 1967 and spanned three decades. From the 
Vietnam era through Desert Shield, Mr. Epstein served our country 
honorably and with great distinction, demonstrating the highest caliber 
of dedication.
  Mr. Epstein is a graduate of the National Defense University and the 
United States Army War College class of '92. He has served in the 101st 
Airborne and has been a staff officer at EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, and PACOM. 
Among his awards are the National Defense Service Medal with star, Army 
Commendation with 2 Oak leaves, Reserve Commendation Medal and the 
Legion of Merit for service in Panama. He has been awarded the 
Conspicuous Service Star by the New York State Department of Military 
Affairs. His badges include Air Assault and Israeli Airborne Wings.
  In his civilian life, Mr. Epstein has been a computer consultant, 
private detective, and real estate developer. In Ocean County, New 
Jersey, he was chairman of the Planning Board of the Township of Ocean. 
He also served as the local Democratic County Committee chairman. Mr. 
Epstein ran for Ocean County Freeholder. Although he lost the race, he 
exceeded expectations by garnering 20,000 more votes than any 
Democratic candidate for the seat in the preceding decade. The support 
he received is a testament to his hard work, dedication to his 
community and effectiveness.
  Tragically, Mr. Epstein is suffering from the fatal neurodegenerative 
disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly referred to as 
Lou Gehrig's disease. Shockingly, a study conducted by the ALS 
Association found that men and women who have served in the Armed 
Forces have a 60 percent greater chance of contracting ALS. No one 
knows why. On the average, the survival rate is 2 to 5 years after 
diagnosis. Despite his grave illness, Mr. Epstein continues to work on 
behalf of his fellow veterans.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
recognizing a true hero, Larry Epstein. He exemplifies the ideals of 
compassion, diligence and loyalty to his comrades.

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