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

WOLFF, Lester Lionel, a Representative from New York; born in New York City January 4, 1919; attended the public schools of New York City; student at New York University; lecturer at New York University, 1939-1941; head of marketing department of Collegiate Institute, 1945-1949; major, public relations officer, and squadron commander in the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxilliary, 1945-1950; colonel, commanding Congressional Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, 1968-1980; chairman of the board of Coordinated Marketing Agency, 1950-1964; member of the board of Noramco (Dugan's), 1963-1964, and of the Madison Life Insurance Co., 1963-1968; engaged in television as a moderator and producer, 1948-1960; member of the United States Trade Mission to the Philippines in 1962 and to Malaysia and Hong Kong in 1963; chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Subcommittee on Consumers Study by the House of Representatives in 1957; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-ninth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1965-January 3, 1981); chairman, Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control (Ninety-fourth through Ninety-sixth Congresses); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980 to the Ninety-seventh Congress; chairman, Pacific Community Institute, 1984 to present; television commentator; died on May 11, 2021, in Syosset, N.Y.

BURIAL
Wellwood Cemetery
West Babylon, Suffolk County, New York, USA

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li>11/04/1980 NY District 6 Lost 47.16% (-5.67%)</li>
<li>11/07/1978 NY District 6 Won 60.03% (+27.11%)</li>
<li>11/02/1976 NY District 6 Won 61.79% (+28.50%)</li>
<li>11/05/1974 NY District 6 Won 66.71% (+33.41%)</li>
<li>11/07/1972 NY District 6 Won 51.55% (+3.10%)</li>
<li>11/03/1970 NY District 3 Won 54.41% (+16.26%)</li>
<li>11/05/1968 NY District 3 Won 52.06% (+11.83%)</li>
<li>11/08/1966 NY District 3 Won 50.26% (+0.51%)</li>
<li>11/03/1964 NY District 3 Won 50.69% (+1.38%)</li>
</ul>
</p>

<p>Lester Lionel Wolff (January 4, 1919 – May 11, 2021) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He also held the position of president of the International Trade and Development Agency. In 2014, Wolff accepted the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States, on behalf of the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol.</p>

<p>An expert in Asian affairs, Wolff was also the chair of the Touro College Pacific Community Institute, the author of numerous books on foreign policy, and the host of the weekly PBS show Ask Congress.</p>

<p>Wolff was the oldest living current or former member of Congress until his death in May 2021, and the last surviving member born in the 1910s.</p>