[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 17 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E120-E121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING SURROGATE MICHAEL R. DRESSLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2012

  Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear 
friend, County Surrogate Michael Raymond Dressler, for his dedicated 
leadership and service to our community as the recently re-elected 
Judge of the Surrogate's Court of Bergen County. Surrogate Dressler has 
committed himself to a life of public service and I am pleased to 
recognize him as he continues his distinguished career.
  Surrogate Dressler was first elected to be the Bergen County 
Surrogate Court Judge in 1996. Since then, the public has demonstrated 
their resounding approval for his work, re-electing him in 2001, 2006, 
and yet again in 2011. While in office, Judge Dressler has demonstrated 
his talent for combining innovative community service with reasoned 
fiscal responsibility. Among many other first's, he created the first 
Guardianship Monitoring Program in Bergen County, which utilizes 
volunteers to monitor the work of Court appointed guardians, ensuring 
they care for the frail and elderly as promised.
  Surrogate Dressler also organized the creation of the Surrogate 
Court's Satellite Office Program in which the services of the Surrogate 
Court are brought directly to municipalities such as Fort Lee, 
Ridgewood, Wallington, Norwood and Park Ridge. Surrogate Court 
employees offer services such as probating of wills and administering 
estates to those who cannot make the trip to the Surrogate Court in 
Hackensack. These innovative programs are operated and maintained at no 
additional taxpayer cost.
  Also, as a lifetime advocate for education, Judge Dressler spends a 
great deal of time promoting awareness of the probate process, the 
necessity of a Will and other documents, through his speaking tours, 
addressing numerous civic groups and service organizations. His 
publication of a comprehensive booklet entitled ``How to Probate a Will 
in Bergen County,'' is available to all Bergen County residents in 
English, Spanish, and Korean. These initiatives are just a few of many 
examples that reflect how his hard work extends well beyond the walls 
of his office.
  As Surrogate, Michael Dressler was elected by his peers and served as 
President of the Constitutional Officers of New Jersey. He presently 
serves as a member of the New Jersey Highlands Council. He was honored 
as the YMCA of Greater Bergen County's Person of the Year in 2009.
  Mike Dressler was first elected to public office as Councilman of 
Cresskill in 1974. In 1983, the people of Cresskill elected him to 
serve as their Mayor, a position he held until 1991. That same year he 
was the youngest person ever appointed to the position of Counsel to 
the County of Bergen--New Jersey's most populous county. His 
extraordinary dedication to public service serves as an inspiration to 
us all.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my dear friend, Surrogate 
Michael Raymond Dressler, on another re-election. I join with the 
grateful residents of Bergen County in thanking him for his innumerable 
contributions to our community. I am confident that his leadership and 
dedication to service will continue to improve the lives of countless 
New Jerseyans.

[[Page E121]]



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