Elise Stefanik: “On behalf of the Republican New York delegation, I rise today in recognition of and to honor our good friend, Mike Long…”

“On behalf of the Republican New York delegation, I rise today in recognition of and to honor our good friend, Mike Long, the longtime chairman of the Conservative Party of New York. Mike passed away this week with his beloved family at his side, leaving behind an extraordinary life and legacy. Mike Long was a man of integrity who lived a life of service above self. He was among the most, if not the most, respected and esteemed political leaders in New York politics by both his allies and his political opponents. Mike Long was proudly born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in southern Queens. In 1959, Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He felt strongly that his duty was to our country, and as we know--and this was Mike--once a marine, always a marine. Mike then served in elected office on the New York City Council and then for decades as chair of the New York Conservative Party, where he got to know nearly every State and Federal Republican and Conservative candidate for public office. His chairmanship continued for more than 30 years, which is a testament to his character, his work ethic, his leadership, and his determination to make a difference. In recognition of his strong defense of the rights of the unborn, Pope St. John Paul II named him a Knight of St. Gregory, one of the highest honors for a Catholic layman.…”