[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 2 (Friday, January 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN LESTER WOLFF--THE 
                    OLDEST LIVING MEMBER OF CONGRESS

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                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 4, 2019

  Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, today is former Congressman Lester Wolff's 
100th birthday, the oldest living former member of Congress.
   Lester was born in New York City in 1919. He served his country 
during World War II, achieving the rank of Colonel in the Civil Air 
Patrol.
   In 1964, Lester was elected to Congress and went on to serve the 
people of New York for 16 illustrious years. In 2014, he was awarded 
the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award.
   As a Congressman, he is remembered for playing an active role in 
foreign affairs, but on Long Island he is also remembered for standing 
up to powerful interests to protect the environment.
   In 1967, the New York State Legislature--at the insistence of then 
Governor Nelson Rockefeller and master planner Robert Moses--authorized 
a bridge across the Long Island Sound.
   Lester immediately saw that this bridge would despoil the pristine 
and precious resource of the Long Island Sound and soon found himself 
at the center of an enormous political fight.
   Lester eventually won this fight and the Oyster Bay Wildlife Refuge 
was born. Lester's efforts in 1968 are an important part of our 
nation's environmental history.
   In recognition of his monumental contributions to the preservation 
and protection of our environment, especially on Long Island's 
beautiful North Shore, I am proposing the renaming of the Oyster Bay 
National Wildlife Refuge to the Congressman Lester Wolff National 
Wildlife Refuge.
   These precious wetlands--at Congressman Lester Wolff's urging--were 
protected in 1968.
   Last Congress, the House passed H.R. 6064 with 385 votes in favor. 
In this new Congress, I ask for my colleagues continued support to 
rename to the Lester Wolff National Wildlife Refuge.
   On behalf of the institution he served, and all his colleagues, past 
and present, I wish Lester a happy 100th year and many more.

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