[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SPECIAL TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF JUDGE BENTLEY KASSAL'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2017

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I hereby congratulate Judge Bentley Kassal 
on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Judge Kassal has dedicated his 
life to public service, and we are grateful for his contributions to 
the people of New York. As a member of the New York State Assembly from 
1957 through 1962, Judge Kassal represented a significant portion of 
Manhattan's Upper West Side in the very same Assembly district that I 
would later serve. During his time in Albany, Judge Kassal, among other 
accomplishments, authored a bill establishing the New York State 
Council on the Arts--the very first arts council to operate in the 
United States.
  Mr. Kassal was later elected to the New York City Civil Court in 1969 
and then the New York Supreme Court in 1975. In 1982, Governor Hugh 
Carey appointed Judge Kassal to the Appellate Division of the New York 
Supreme Court. He continued in that capacity until 1993. Following his 
retirement from the bench, Judge Kassal has served as counsel at 
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, where he continues to provide 
assistance with litigation matters.
  Judge Kassal is also a decorated war veteran, and was stationed 
abroad as an air combat intelligence officer for four years during 
World World II. In recognition of his distinguished military service, 
Judge Kassal has received the Bronze Star medal and the French Legion 
of Honor medal.
  I am incredibly proud to count Judge Kassal as one of my 
constituents. The people of New York have been the fortunate 
beneficiaries of Judge Kassal's years of service. I wish him a warm 
congratulations on this special occasion, and thank him for his 
contributions to our community.

                          ____________________