Presentation of the Speaker Perry B Duryea Achievement Award

Speaker Perry B Duryea of Montauk served in the New York State Assembly from 1961 to 1978.  In 1966 Speaker Duryea served as Assembly Minority Leader until becoming Speaker from 1969 to 1973 and served as Minority Leader again from 1974 to 1978.

Speaker Duryea was an everyday man easily accessible to all and, when not in Albany, could be found in Montauk running the family lobster business. Under Speaker Duryea oversaw the expansion of NY State parks and the state university system. Mr. Duryea also headed the Long Island State Park Commission and championed the Long Island Expressway construction and the Sunrise Highway extension. 

Speaker Duryea once said, "I never thought that the political life was supposed to be easy," Like Speaker Duryea, Congressman Pete King never shied away from for hard work. During Congressman Kings 28 years in Congress, he served as the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, cultivated a reputation for bipartisanship while maintaining a hard line on immigration and crime. Congressman King is the longest-serving Republican member of New York's congressional delegation.

Much like Speaker Duryea, Congressman King has shown keen political instincts and a reputation as a fighter for New York's interests. Well respected by Republican and Democrats alike Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer upon hearing of Congressman King retirement stated, "Peter King stood head & shoulders above everyone else. He's fiercely loved America, Long Island, and his Irish heritage and left a lasting mark on all 3."

Congratulations, Congressman Pete King, and thank you for your service.