[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING G. OLIVER KOPPELL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, as the Representative for New York's 16th 
Congressional District, I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and 
honoring an array of incredible public servants. But few, if any, have 
worked as hard and achieved as much as my dear friend Oliver Koppell 
has for the people of the Bronx, and all of New York State.
  The son of refugees from Nazi Germany, Oliver moved to the Bronx when 
he was two years old, and began a lifelong love affair with the 
borough. He attended Bronx elementary schools, graduated from Bronx 
High School of Science, and, following his tenure at Harvard 
University, where he graduated Cum Laude as both an undergraduate and 
law student, he returned to the Bronx to begin his life of public 
service.
  On March 30, 1970, Oliver was first elected to office as a Bronx 
Assemblyman, and served as a member of that legislative body for over 
23 years. I spent many of those years as a colleague of Oliver's, and 
was always struck by his incredible intellect and undeniable passion 
for his constituency. His legislative record as a Member of the 
Assembly was sterling, and showed the breadth of his interests and 
knowledge.
  It was no surprise to me then in 1993 when Oliver was selected by his 
colleagues to serve in a higher capacity, as New York State Attorney 
General. As Attorney General, Oliver initiated dozens of public 
interest lawsuits, collected over $100,000,000 for the state treasury, 
and negotiated the largest environmental settlement in the history of 
New York.
  As a follow-up to his time in statewide office, Oliver returned to 
serve the local Bronx community, as Council Member for New York City's 
11th District. From his election in 2001 to the end of his tenure in 
2013, Oliver was a leading progressive voice in the Council and a 
tireless advocate for the constituents he represented in the northwest 
Bronx. To see the success of Oliver's tenure, look no further than his 
election results: he served three terms in office with overwhelming 
support from the community.
  But for Oliver, no legislative accomplishment can compare to his 
greatest success, as a father and a husband. He is married to the love 
of his life, Lorraine, and has three amazing children, along with 5 
beautiful grandchildren. I have had the privilege of getting to know 
all of the Koppells over the many years we have known each other, and 
they are all truly wonderful people.
  This year, the Riverdale Temple is honoring Oliver with a tribute 
luncheon in celebration of his years of dedicated service to the 
community. There is no more fitting honoree than him. Oliver Koppell 
has been a true public servant, an advocate for people from all walks 
of life, a man of exceptional integrity. I honor Oliver along with the 
Riverdale Temple and wish to congratulate him on this wonderful, and 
incredibly well-deserved, honor.

                          ____________________