(Washington, DC) - Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5923, a bill that would designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 29-50 Union Street in Flushing, New York, as the Dr. Leonard Price Stavisky Post Office. It is more than fitting that a Federal facility be named after Leonard in a community that he so ably represented for so many years; and I note for the record that the bill is cosponsored by every Member of the New York State delegation, both sides of the aisle.

   Leonard was born in the Bronx and graduated from City College of New York in 1945. He continued his studies by earning a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1946. He capped off his education with a doctorate in American History from Columbia in 1958.

   Leonard had a long and illustrious first career in academia, spending more than 30 years working and teaching at Colombia University, the State University of New York, the City University of New York, Colgate University, Long Island University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He taught history and political science and worked at the administration level as well.

   Until 1990, Leonard was an adjunct professor of political science at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. His extensive background in education enabled him to be a strong and effective advocate and expert on education issues during his legislative career.

   Leonard earned his political stripes while serving on the New York City Council from 1954 to 1960. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1966, served as chairman of the Education Committee for more than 8 years. As chairman of the committee, he became an outspoken and passionate advocate of State support for public education.

   In 1975, Leonard sponsored the legislation that prevented severe budget cuts in New York City's public schools in the wake of the city's severe financial crisis.

   Leonard became my successor in the New York State Senate; and there he continued his fervent support of public education, including pushing for fiscal autonomy for the State University of New York.

   At the national level, Leonard served as a commissioner on the Education Commission of the States and was chairman of the Education and Labor Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

   In these capacities he was a tireless advocate for States on educational issues involving the Federal Government and school districts across the Nation.

   Mr. Speaker, most of all, Leonard passionately represented Flushing, New York, in the Borough of Queens during his time in the New York State assembly and senate until his untimely death in 1999. He was active in all phases of community affairs, especially in Flushing. He served on the boards of directors of the Bay Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the Latimer Gardens Community Center, the Bland Houses Community Center, the Dwarf-Giraffe Boys League, the Flushing Boys Club, and the North Flushing Senior Center.

   In addition, he worked closely with the Mitchell-Linden Civic Association on numerous local issues. The members of this association have sought to honor Senator Stavisky by renaming the post office in their community after him. Dr. Stavisky could have comfortably stayed on in the academic field his entire career. Rather, he chose to selflessly participate in the political process in order to effectuate the policies he thought necessary to further public education.

   I would like to note, Mr. Speaker, that Leonard's wife, Toby, is carrying on Leonard's work, elected in her own right as the senator from New York's 16th State senate district, succeeding Leonard after his passing. Toby is the first woman elected to the State senate from Queens County. Leonard and Toby's son, Evan, is a prominent political consultant in New York.

   Mr. Speaker, Leonard Price Stavisky's life of hard work, perseverance, and selflessness brought integrity and dignity to public office. It is appropriate to pay tribute to his memory by renaming this post office in Flushing, Queens in his honor. I sincerely hope the whole House will join us in commemorating his decades of service to the people of Queens and to the city and State of New York, and I urge all to support H.R. 5923. 

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