Wolff, Lester L. (Lester Lionel), 1919-2021

Lester Lionel Wolff (January 4, 1919 – May 11, 2021) was an American foreign policy expert, academic, businessman, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served as the U.S. Representative from New York's 3rd (1965-1973) and 6th (1973-1981) congressional districts.

Born in Manhattan, he attended the public schools of New York City, graduating from George Washington High School before earning a degree from New York University. Wolff lectured at New York University from 1939 until 1941, and later became a department chair at the City College of New York. Wolff was part of the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. He was a squadron commander and a subchaser. Wolff worked for the Long Island Press and The Bronx Home News. Wolff then founded his own firm, specializing in the food industry, and was executive director of the New York Conference of Retail Grocers. He became the producer and host of Between the Lines, a local television program, and the producer of a celebrity variety show starring Wendy Barrie. Wolff remained active in philanthropy as a member of the United Jewish Appeal and B'nai B'rith.

In 1957, Wolff was selected by the U.S. House of Representatives as chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Subcommittee on Consumer Study. He was elected to Congress in 1964 and served from January 3, 1965, until January 3, 1981. He initially represented the 3rd district but later through redistricting the 6th district. Wolff served as Chairman of the Asian and Pacific Affairs Committee, and the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. He commanded the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, rising to the rank of colonel.In Congress, Wolff supported the agenda of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He voted for Voting Rights Act of 1965 and for the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, and was an active participant in the civil rights movement, attending the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. Wolff opposed creation of the Long Island Sound link. He was an opponent of the Vietnam War. He was defeated for reelection in an upset by 27-year-old Republican John LeBoutillier in 1980.

After leaving Congress, Wolff was the president of the International Trade and Development Agency. He was the director of the Pacific Community Institute at Touro College, and published numerous books on foreign policy. He hosted a weekly PBS show, Ask Congress, continuously since the mid-1980s. Due to his expertise in Asian culture and relations, Wolff was a well sought-after consultant. He was a director of the Griffon Corporation from 1987 to 2007. He received the World Peace Prize Top Honor in 2010. In 2014, he accepted the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States, on behalf of volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol who had served during World War II.

Wolff was the oldest living current or former member of Congress until his death in Syosset, New York and was the last surviving member born in the 1910s. He was buried in Wellwood Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.