[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL DEN DEKKER

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                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2017

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to a colleague 
and dear friend, New York State Assemblyman Michael Den Dekker. I have 
long admired his devotion to improving the lives of others. I know I am 
not alone in this admiration. Everyone who has worked with Mike has 
boundless respect for him, and truly enjoys knowing him. He is 
cheerful, he is kind, and he is a friend to all he meets.
  Mike and I go back decades. On September 12, 2001, I went down to 
Ground Zero for the first time. The past twenty four hours had been 
some of the most harrowing of my life. As I stepped out of the car, the 
first thing I laid my eyes on was Mike Den Dekker. He was there, broom 
in hand, cleaning up. No other story more clearly shows what kind of 
man Mike is. He does not shy away from hard work, he does not waver in 
his devotion to others. I have nothing but the deepest respect for my 
longtime friend and colleague.
  Of course, Mike is no stranger to tough work. He worked his way up in 
the sanitation department, eventually becoming supervisor, and going on 
to serve the city as a public information officer at the Office of 
Emergency Management and a facilities manager for the New York City 
Council, until he ran for State Assembly in 2008. Since then, he has 
fought tirelessly to improve the lives of New Yorkers and to create a 
state where everyone has the chance to work hard and succeed.
  His work is being recognized on March 13, 2017, as he receives the 
Charles Stewart Parnell award from the American Irish Legislators. Mr. 
Speaker, I wish to congratulate him and declare my joy in his receiving 
of this award. The award is given each year to an Irish legislator in 
commemoration of Charles Stewart Parnell, the uncrowned king of 
Ireland, a brave soul who fought for the people. Mike is unwavering in 
his devotion to others, and has spent his whole life making his 
community safer, cleaner, healthier, and happier. It is only natural he 
should receive such an award to commemorate a lifetime of work. As we 
Irish say, luck may rise with you, Maith thu, and Go n-eiri an t-adh 
leat, Michael.

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