```

[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                        HONORING FRANK C. TROTTA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Long Island's finest public servants, Frank C. Trotta, who recently 
left office after serving for a quarter century as mayor of the village 
of Bellport--a historic community, which, thanks in no small part to 
Mayor Trotta's leadership, has successfully preserved its character and 
identity.
  On October 30, I was proud to join the Bellport Chamber of Commerce 
in honoring Mayor Trotta for his steadfast commitment and countless 
contributions to the people of Bellport. This tribute was celebrated at 
the Bellport Country Club, which could not have been a more appropriate 
location considering that it was losing $35,000 a year when Mayor 
Trotta entered office.
  Today, the golf course generates more than $1 million a year in 
revenue for Long Island's economy which is one of the main reasons that 
village taxes are among the lowest on Long Island.
  During his tenure, Mayor Trotta demonstrated a strong commitment to 
fiscal responsibility and low taxes while protecting vital government 
services. His legacy is clear: Today, Bellport is on solid financial 
footing and has been recognized by CNN and Money Magazine as one of the 
best places to live on the east coast and is 1 of the 10 ``hottest'' 
Zip Codes in New York State.
  I have been privileged to know Frank Trotta for nearly 35 years, long 
before either of us entered public service. We attended graduate 
classes together in the summer of 1974 at Southampton College and I am 
proud to say that we have been friends ever since. I watched with great 
pride as Frank's career blossomed. As someone who was new to public 
service when I was elected to Congress in 2002, I learned a lot simply 
by watching and talking to Frank.
  Although Frank and I do not belong to the same political party, we 
share a common philosophy, which is that you always put the needs of 
the community first. There must always be a place in public service for 
a man like Frank Trotta who understands that political partisanship has 
no place in village government and we should all treat one another with 
courtesy and civility.
  For anyone who has ever walked with Frank during Bellport's Fourth of 
July parade, it is plain to see how much he loves his community and how 
much that community loves him. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help honor 
my friend, Frank Trotta, for his years of service to the village of 
Bellport and our Nation. On behalf of New York's First Congressional 
District, I wish him continued success, happiness and good health in 
his future endeavors as a private citizen and one of Long Island's 
favorite sons.

                          ____________________
```