[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF AMBASSADOR FELIX ROHATYN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2020

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of 
vision and great intellect, whose life and legacy were marked by 
extraordinary achievements and a profound love for America: Ambassador 
Felix Rohatyn. From ushering New York City through economic crisis to 
proudly serving our nation as Ambassador to France to becoming a 
leading voice for building the infrastructure of America in a green 
way, Ambassador Rohatyn embodied the American spirit and helped build a 
brighter future for all Americans. His passing last December is a great 
official loss for our nation and a profound personal loss for all those 
privileged to call him a friend, counselor and loved one.
  Felix Rohatyn was born in Vienna, Austria in 1928 to a prominent 
Jewish family. By 1935, he and his parents were forced to flee their 
home to escape the rise of Nazism, embarking on a years-long journey 
that eventually brought them to safety in the United States in 1942. 
His early experience as a refugee instilled in him a love for our 
bedrock American values of freedom, justice and economic opportunity 
for all, an appreciation that he honored throughout his life.
  His professional success made him a sought-after economic expert and 
intellectual resource for countless public officials and leaders around 
the world. When New York City faced an unprecedented insolvency crisis 
in the 1970s, Felix Rohatyn's collaborative leadership skills brought 
together political and financial interests to make the difficult 
decisions needed to save the city. In the process, he made sure that 
the city invested in all its citizens, setting aside funding for 
schools, housing and public transportation to ensure a financially 
stable and prosperous future for millions of Americans.
  Felix Rohatyn brought that same successful leadership, in addition to 
his fluency in French, to representing the United States as Ambassador 
to France. During his ambassadorship, he worked to strengthen the 
economic and cultural bonds between our nations, reaffirming an 
unbreakable friendship and partnership that dates back to the founding 
of our country.
  It was always a privilege to have Ambassador Rohatyn meet with 
Members of Congress to discuss the most pressing issues facing our 
economy and our nation. His passionate advocacy for robust, climate 
change--resilient infrastructure made him a thoughtful advisor and 
effective Co-Chair of the bipartisan Commission on Public 
Infrastructure, helping Congress establish a framework to rebuild our 
nation and boost our economy in a sustainable, job-creating way.
  After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, his forward-looking vision was 
essential to his service as Co-Chair of the New York State 2100 
Commission. The innovative strategies he helped develop have been 
critical in rebuilding devastated communities and will ensure the city 
is better prepared to meet the challenges posed by the worsening 
climate crisis.
  America was blessed by the life and leadership of Ambassador Felix 
Rohatyn. May it be a comfort to his children, Pierre, Nicolas and 
Michael, his many grandchildren and the entire Rohatyn family that so 
many mourn their loss and pray for them at this sad time.

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