[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 161 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1644-E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING RICHARD AND LEE LASTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2013

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituents and 
good friends Richard and Lee Laster on the occasion of his 90th 
birthday and their 65th wedding anniversary. The Lasters have called 
Chappaqua, New York, home for 50 years.
  Born in Vienna, Austria, Richard came to the United States in 1940. 
After graduating in 1944 from the Polytechnic Institute of New York, 
Richard began his long career with General Foods Corporation. He became 
President of the Maxwell House Coffee Division, Executive Vice 
President and a Director at General Foods. Following his retirement 
from General Foods, Richard helped build DNA Plant Technology 
Corporation and WellGen. Richard has also served on the Board of 
Directors of RiceTec, Inc., The Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, 
Bowater Incorporated, The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, and Peptor 
Ltd.
  Richard has been a strong and committed community leader, generously 
sharing his wisdom and skills with a myriad of civic and educational 
organizations. These include serving as a Director of The American 
Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Trustee of Temple Beth 
El, Chairman of the Purchase College Foundation, Trustee of Polytechnic 
University, Chairman of the Westchester Education Coalition, a member 
and Deputy Supervisor of the New Castle Town Board, President of the 
Chappaqua School Board and Vice President of the United Way of 
Westchester.
  Richard and his beloved wife, Lee, are both Holocaust survivors. 
Their experiences in 1938 led to a deep and abiding commitment to 
fighting the evils of hatred and bigotry by teaching tolerance to young 
students. In 2011, the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center 
presented Richard and Lee with its Spirit of Humanity Award as 
recognition for Richard's 14 years as Chairman and Lee's longtime 
service as a board member. Lee has also volunteered on the board of The 
Chappaqua Orchestra.
  I am proud to recognize Lee and Richard Laster of Chappaqua, New York 
for their extraordinary contributions to our community and beyond. I 
wish them happiness on the double celebrations of their 65th wedding 
anniversary and his 90th birthday.

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