Recognizing the life of Preston Robert Tisch and his outstanding contributions to New York City, the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Illinois for yielding and thank all who were responsible for bringing this important tribute to the floor of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with very mixed emotions about this. I am absolutely delighted that Bob Tisch is receiving the recognition that he deserves, and he deserves even more, but sad that it has come at a time when he has passed on.

I rise proudly to pay tribute to Preston Robert Tisch, known to all of us fortunate enough to call him ``friend'' as Bob. My friendship with him goes back to 1976; that would be 30 years, Mr. Speaker, a long, long time. It was at the time when he was the chair of the host committee for the Democratic National Convention in New York.

I later became the chair of its host committee for the convention in San Francisco and, as such, went to visit him to get some advice on how to make our city shine when all of that attention was focused on us. His advice was always excellent, professional and, in fact, nonpartisan. It was very important, he said, for this to be about your community. It isn't about the Democrats. It is about your city, your State and your welcome to a convention that is part of the democratic process. But your role is not a political one.

He was bipartisan in so much of what he did. He was a mentor to many, and I was very honored to receive advice from him now for the past 30 years.

Bob Tisch and his family, his brother Larry, are well-known to many of us on both sides of the aisle, and there wasn't anything that was wonderful in our community and our society and our economy that they weren't part of, whether it was the arts, the media, education, sports, again, very important factors in the economy.

But I guess the last note I received from Bob Tisch, he was on his way home from a football game, and I guess dictated it or something, but football was such a love for him. He found a way to combine his love for football with his philanthropic spirit by founding the Take the Field program. This is a wonderful, wonderful venture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to renovating and rebuilding the athletic fields at New York City's public high schools.

Bob believed in giving back to New York City public high schools, the public high schools that educated him, giving student athletes fields of play and single-handedly raising more than $147 million to do so.

Across the country, there is other evidence of Bob Tisch's generosity. His name graces both a medical center and an arts school at New York University, a gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Children's Zoo at Central Park.

Bob helped found Meals on Wheels and served as its president for 20 years. He delivered many meals personally to elderly patrons.

I wanted to just mention football, because he loved it so much. Many know Bob Tisch realized his lifelong dream in 1991 when he became chairman and co-CEO of the New York Giants. The Giants brought him great joy. He attended every game, both home and away, and spent as much time working in his stadium office as possible.

Bob was a tremendously talented businessman, as we discussed, a dedicated public servant who served as our Nation's Postmaster General, again, under a Republican President, a Democratic Postmaster General, and one of the most generous philanthropists our country has known.

As we pay tribute to Bob, we must remember the many people who loved him and grieve his death, especially his wife of 57 years, Joan Tisch; his children, Steven, Laurie and Jonathan; and his nine grandchildren.

The last time I saw Bob Tisch, he was having brunch, Sunday brunch, at the Regency Hotel with his family and some of his grandchildren. He held court there. Many of us would see him when we were in New York. He held court there, and it was just always a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful experience to see him. He was always so full of optimism and hope, even though, at some point, we didn't know how long he would be with us.

I think the former mayor of New York City, David Dinkins said it best of Bob: When you think of Bob Tisch, you smile. Though we grieve the loss of Bob today, we smile as we remember his brilliant life.

Again, I hope it is a comfort to Joan, to Jonathan, to Steven and to Laurie, my friend, that so many people mourn their loss and are praying for them. He has been gone for a number of months, but we continue to pray for them and to sing the praises of this great man, Bob Tisch.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 605, a resolution recognizing the life of Preston Robert Tisch and his outstanding contributions to New York City, the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States. Mr. Tisch died, at the age of 79, on November 15, 2005, at his home in Manhattan, New York. The cause of his demise was a brain tumor, as said Jeffrey Stewart, spokesman for the family. New Yorkers knew Mr. Tisch as Bob and will always remember his stupendous economic support and leadership on several civic initiatives committed to the betterment of the city.

Having made his fortune from the real estate business in New York, Bob Tisch was a dedicated man who truly loved this city and exemplified the belief that the prime responsibility and highest calling of those fortunate enough to have achieved financial security was to use the resources and capacity to improve the lives of other people. Many New Yorkers were helped by the generosity of Mr. Tisch's civic commitment.

In May 2005, Mr. Tisch was interviewed for the online edition of Education Update magazine by Joan Baum, Ph.D. Dr. Baum described him as an ``extraordinary life of public service and philanthropy''. Mr. Tisch's service as Postmaster General of the United States in the 90s was mentioned. As well as his participation in a partnership program to fund community programs, sitting on the board as a founding member of Citymeals-on-wheels, and as an essential driving force behind the new Giants Stadium.

In 2000, Mr. Tisch founded a program known as ``Take the Field'', which benefited public schools by restoring athletic fields in New York to provide spaces for children to both practice and play. Since its inception ``Take the Field'' has already successfully restored 41 of 43 athletic fields in New York. By May 2005 Mr. Tisch's efforts had raised $135 million in private and public funds for ``Take the Field.'' Ernie Accorsi, Giants General Manager, 1998-present stated: ``Bob Tisch was a historic man in New York City history. His contributions ranged from government, both National and local, to the entertainment world to the sports world, but most important, to incredible charitable acts. His `Take the Field' program was one of the most innovative and beautiful efforts in athletics in this country. But in addition to these things and to his co-ownership of one of the great franchises in American sport, in addition to his brilliance and dynamic New York presence, was the soul of a good and decent man who cared about people and did countless deeds to help those less fortunate, acts which never received notice.''

Mr. Tisch wanted to improve health and increase the academic performance of not only students, but also of the communities as well. Mr. Tisch was very interested in education. Evidence of this is the Tisch School of the Arts and the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports at New York University.

Mr. Tisch also served as Mayor David N. Dinkins ``ambassador'' to Washington, he was chairman of host committees for the 1976 and 1980 Democratic National Conventions, and also led the way in building a new convention center on Manhattan's West Side. He was the Chairman and Director of the Loews Corporation, one of the country's most successful financial companies.

In 1991 he purchased the New York Giants and loved to attend practices and share opinions with coaches. Mr. Tisch improved the Giant's business by sharpening the team's marketing strategies. As a member of the National Football League's Finance and Super Bowl Policy Committees, Mr. Tisch attained prominence in the sports arena equal to his position in the world of business.

We all mourn the loss of Bob Tisch, who left an indelible mark on our society. He will always be alive in our hearts and minds. As a friend, I will greatly miss a remarkable man whose companionship I treasured, and whose energetic, enthusiastic, and enormously big heart will never be forgotten.

I thank my colleague for yielding, and I join my voice with the Democratic leader and Mr. Fossella and many others in honoring Robert Tisch.

When Preston Robert Tisch passed away on November 15, 2005, America lost one of its preeminent and most successful business people. Anyone who followed his career or worked with him knew of his brilliant business sense, and anyone who has seen a movie in a Loews theater or stayed in a Loews hotel can attest to it.

But as much as Bob Tisch will be remembered for his many business successes, he will be remembered and honored for being one of our most caring and giving philanthropists and humanitarians. Anyone who has benefitted from the vital city Meals on Wheels program is a testament to his many efforts. In his business career, Bob was

an enormous success, and he used his wealth and intelligence to assist those who need help the most. For that, we greatly admire him, and we honor him with this resolution today.

I am particularly proud, as is my colleague, Vito Fossella, who introduced this resolution, that Bob Tisch was born and resided in our hometown, New York City. We were able to see the success and many good deeds up close, and our city has been the beneficiary of many of his best and most heartfelt ideas and programs. The City of New York thanks him and misses him.

Bob Tisch, the son of Russian immigrants and a native of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, served our country in the Army during World War II. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and would go on to become the chairman and director of the highly successful Loews Corporation.

During the financial crisis of the 1970s, he organized business leaders from New York and around the country to earn the support of the Federal Government for New York City, and he helped rebuild our city. He helped our city go from bust to boom.

Bob Tisch served as the Postmaster General under President Reagan from 1986 to 1988 and, likewise, served as the chair of the National Democratic Convention. He was a man who was admired by both parties, admired by all people. He was chairman of the New York City Convention and Visitors Bureau for 19 years, and he was appointed by former Mayor David Dinkins to be the city's ambassador to Washington in 1990. You would often see him here in Washington visiting, talking, promoting New York City.

Perhaps his greatest feats, though, were his philanthropic efforts. Aside from the countless of millions of dollars he gave to charities, hospitals, universities and the Metropolitan Museum, Bob Tisch helped create city Meals on Wheels and was president for more than 20 years. The program provides food to the elderly and to the homebound, New Yorkers in need, allowing them to get nutrition and stay healthy in their homes.

More recently, Bob Tisch's Take the Field campaign raised more than $140 million to refurbish unkempt athletic fields of New York City's public schools.

Since 1991, Bob Tisch, a lifelong sports fan, owned 50 percent of the New York Giants Football Club, sharing it with another great New Yorker whom we recently lost, Wellington Mara.

Few Americans have done more in their lives or have helped more people than Bob Tisch. He is missed tremendously, especially in New York. As the companies he ran endure and as the philanthropic programs he created continue to help those in need, Bob Tisch will not be forgotten.

The good work he began continues even today, and our hearts and our thoughts are with his wife, Joan; his children, Steven, Laurie and Jonathan, all of whom have continued with his philanthropic work. And they have greatly, in their own way, benefitted our city, State and our country.

Overall, Bob Tisch was just a good man. He was a terrific person. He is deeply missed, and I am so pleased for his family and for his city that Congress has thought to honor him today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 605, which recognizes

the life and achievements of Preston Robert Tisch.

The New York Giants begin the 2006 football season next week absent the front office presence of Bob Tisch for the first time in 15 years. The Giants have been one of the National Football League's most successful franchises, and this is due in no small part to Tisch's leadership. The New York Giants grieve the passing of their former owner, but they do not grieve alone.

In addition to the New York Giants, Bob Tisch and his family own the Loews hotels and movie theaters and many other successful businesses.

However, Tisch will be remembered by many for his philanthropic ventures. Many organizations and educational institutions, such as the University of Michigan, his alma mater, and New York University, benefited from Tisch's generosity.

Tisch established the overwhelmingly successful Take the Field program. During the 1990s, the Take the Field program raised over $140 million to help rebuild dozens of athletic fields used by public school children in New York City.

Tisch also created the Meals on Wheels program and served as president of the program for a decade. It was not uncommon to find Bob Tisch delivering meals to those in need.

Bob Tisch was also a devoted and successful public servant. From 1986-1988, Tisch served as Postmaster General of the United States. He served honorably in his role at the United States Postal Service and created the Department of Philatelic Affairs. This department revolutionized the sale of stamps in postal facilities.

On November 15, 2005, Preston Robert Tisch lost his battle against brain cancer at the age of 79. In one last demonstration of his eminent generosity, Tisch donated $10 million to the Duke University Cancer Center that had treated and cared for him in his final days.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of H. Res. 605 in recognition of the life and work of Preston Robert Tisch.

Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual for individuals to become wealthy and to become successful. It is not even unusual for some of them to share some of what they have been able to accumulate with others. But in looking at the history of Preston Robert Tisch, it is difficult to find a more magnanimous individual who made greater use of his time, his energy, his efforts, and, of course, his wealth.

When you think of the Meals on Wheels program and the large numbers of senior citizens who have benefited so greatly from such a great program, you realize how great Mr. Tisch was and how long his legacy will continue to live.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume to the Democratic Leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he might consume to the Dean of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, on November 15th, 2005, America lost one of its greatest entrepreneurs, the great Preston Robert ``Bob'' Tisch, the former Postmaster General and owner of the New York Giants Football Club.

Bob Tisch grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, to middle-class parents who had emigrated from Russia. He had a vision that anyone could succeed in life if they worked hard enough to achieve it. He once mentioned that ``perseverance is at the heart of meeting any challenge.'' This is a motto he would live by for the rest of his life. In 1943 Bob Tisch joined the U.S. Army and fought in World War II. Shortly after he left the military, he earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1948. That same year he began what he would later become famous for: he joined his family hotel business at the Laurel-in-the-Pines in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Later in life he would move on to gain total control of the Loews Theater Corporation and in 1962, would build the Summit Hotel in Bal Harbour, Florida. At over 50 stories, it was the world's tallest hotel at the time. Throughout his life he would find success in all that he did. This would continue into the later years of his life. At the age of 60, President Ronald Reagan appointed him the United States Postmaster General, a post he would hold for two years. And finally in 1991, he purchased a 50 percent share of the New York Giants Football Club, an ownership he would happily share with the late Wellington Mara.

Recognizing the financial crisis that New York City was experiencing in the 1970s, Bob Tisch organized regular breakfasts at his Regency Hotel with some of the cities most influential movers and shakers. These breakfasts helped attract influential businessmen and women from all over the country and turned New York City's financial crisis into a burgeoning economy.

Bob Tisch had an incredible record of charity work. He helped create the Meals-on-Wheels program and would serve as its president for over 20 years. His final campaign was called the ``Take the Field'' imitative which was established to revitalize the ragged athletic fields of the city's public high schools which raised over $140 million. He also gave countless millions of dollars through his philanthropic works to hospitals, charities, and universities in the spirit of improving the lives of Americans.

While we mourn his loss, we as a Nation should smile proudly at his life and his deeds, for there is no greater credit to his accomplishments than having left this Nation and our world better than he had found it.