RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION

On 2026-07-20, Representative Mark B. Messmer (R-IN-8) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION" in the House.

RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4673-H4675] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. LaLota of New York was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. ) General Leave Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I am honored to host a Special Order in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Long Island Association. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an institution that has helped shape Long Island's economy, strengthened its communities, and championed its future for the past century. For 100 years, the Long Island Association has served as the leading voice of Long Island's business community, bringing together employers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, educators, labor leaders, and public officials around a shared mission: ensuring Long Island remains one of the best places in America to live, work, raise a family, and build a business. Founded in 1926 as the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, the organization emerged during a period of tremendous growth with an ambitious mission: to promote Long Island's unique strengths and expand economic opportunity throughout the region. That mission has endured, even as Long Island has evolved from a collection of agricultural communities and seasonal destinations into one of the Nation's most dynamic regional economies. Today, Long Island is home to world-class manufacturers, innovative life science companies, internationally recognized research institutions, thriving small businesses, and vibrant downtowns. Throughout that transformation, the Long Island Association has been a steadfast advocate for policies that encourage investment, innovation, and job creation. Whether advancing critical infrastructure projects, strengthening workforce development, or helping businesses navigate extraordinary challenges--from the aftermath of September 11 to Superstorm Sandy to the COVID-19 pandemic--the LIA has consistently demonstrated thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to our region. Its work continues today as Long Island confronts many of the challenges that will define our next century, including affordability, housing, infrastructure, energy reliability, and maintaining a business climate that allows employers of every size to succeed. New York's exceptionally high tax burden only makes those challenges more difficult. Meeting those challenges is essential, not only for today's economy but for ensuring that future generations can continue to build successful careers and rewarding lives on Long Island. Mr. Speaker, I will also recognize the outstanding leadership of the Long Island Association, who are joining us in the gallery this evening: Chairman Lawrence J. Waldman; Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Stacey Sikes; and members of the board of directors, including Billy Haugland, Katherine Heaviside, and Luis Vazquez. Their leadership and the dedication of countless other board members, [[Page H4674]] staff, volunteers, and business leaders over the past century have positioned the Long Island Association for continued success in the years ahead. {time} 1930 As someone privileged to represent New York's First Congressional District, I know that Long Island's greatest asset has always been its people--the entrepreneurs, workers, educators, researchers, veterans, community leaders, and innovators whose talent and determination make our region exceptional. For a century, the Long Island Association has brought those voices together in pursuit of a stronger regional economy and a brighter future. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Long Island Association on this extraordinary centennial anniversary. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the people of New York's First Congressional District, I thank the association, its leadership, its members, and everyone who has contributed to this remarkable legacy. May its second century be as successful as its first. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Gillen). Ms. GILLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Long Island Association. For a century, it has been an institution at the heart of Long Island's economy and business community. I thank Chairman Waldman, Acting President Sikes, and the association's board members who traveled to Washington this week. It is a privilege to reaffirm our shared commitment to prosperity and opportunity for every Long Islander. Long Island's businesses and industries contribute more than $200 billion to our Nation's economy each year. We are an economic powerhouse, driving innovation and discoveries in national security, medicine, and next-generation technologies. Giving Long Island's businesses a strong base with no limits on their success is how we bolster our local economy and our way of life. Core to its mission, the Long Island Association has been a crucial bridge between businesses and local and Federal government leaders. That partnership is foundational to the success of every entrepreneur, industry, and family-owned business that built Long Island. Our work here in Washington is first and foremost to deliver for our communities through bipartisanship and common sense. Doing so through pro-business and pro-worker policies gives our region the room to grow and stay competitive. The Long Island Association partnership has been instrumental in helping meet the challenges that we face. We must make Long Island more affordable to keep attracting world-class talent and give companies the chance to invest in themselves. That starts with lowering the high cost and taxes our families and businesses pay, including fully and permanently eliminating the SALT cap and undoing harmful tariffs. It means making housing more affordable and ensuring every young professional and hardworking family has a place to call home. We must meet our energy needs with an all-of-the-above strategy and guarantee our infrastructure can support a growing economy. We must cut Federal red tape and invest in our industries to fuel greater opportunity across our region. I am proud to have worked with the association and with my Long Island colleagues across the aisle to tackle these challenges head on. I remain committed to being a trusted voice in Washington for Long Island's businesses and workers. As we celebrate the Long Island Association's 100 years of excellence, I look forward to our continued partnership. Congratulations on this historic milestone and the beginning of another remarkable century of service. Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi). Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to be joining with my colleagues in the spirit of bipartisanship to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Long Island Association. It has been a long journey, where over 100 years, a few name changes, under different leadership, and over a transition from farmland to suburbia to one of the densest, most productive regions in the Nation, the Long Island Association has brought together the best minds in business, labor, education, government, and the not-for-profit community to lay out a vision to move our community forward. The Long Island Association has helped lead the way to make Long Island one of the most powerful regional economies in the United States of America. Now, the Long Island Association has not done everything right. In preparing for this speech, I learned that the Long Island Association, along with none other than Robert Moses, proposed a bridge from Connecticut to Long Island. It might have been a good idea for business and traffic, but it would have ruined my beaches. I have been in public life for over 30 years, first elected as mayor in 1993. As a result, I had the opportunity to be friendly with each leader of the Long Island Association during that time, from Jim Larocca to Matt Crosson to Kevin Law to Matt Cohen, and now the extraordinary Stacey Sikes. I worked together with Stacey when I was Nassau County Executive. I saw firsthand her intelligence, work ethic, integrity, and her ability to bring people together. She, together with our chairman, Larry Waldman, and so many other good people on the board, we realize the Long Island Association is in very good hands. For a century, the Long Island Association has been in the room for nearly every major conversation about our region's future. It helped advocate for the creation of Jones Beach State Park. It advocated for the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway. It was there for the growth of Levittown and the merger of North Shore University Hospital and the Glen Cove Hospital, which laid the foundation for what is now Northwell Health. The Long Island Association has supported the growth of research and innovation and has brought together leaders to address the workforce development, housing, clean water, energy, and the stewardship of our natural resources like the Long Island Sound. The association knows what businesses and workers need. It knows where Long Island commerce is pulling ahead and where it is falling behind. It understands the challenges we are facing when it comes to housing, transportation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability. It knows who needs to be in the room to ensure Long Island stays competitive in a rapidly changing economy. We need the L