Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last year, the people of Middlesex County, NJ, lost one of their greatest and most popular public servants with the passing of Mr. Stephen J. Capestro. The death of Mr. Capestro has, for me, meant the loss not only of a top political leader, but of a good friend. In December 1992. Mr. Capestro retired from elected public office after having served 24 years as a Middlessex County Freeholder. For 13 of these years, he served as the board's director. During those years of distinguished service, Steve Capestro's was a name and a face synonymous with dedication and good government. Shortly after his retirement, on May 27, 1993, Steve was honored with a testimonial dinner in Edison, NJ, which was attended by a wide array of State, county, and local political leaders from both parties, as well as many other community leaders. It was a most fitting tribute to a man who had made such a profound impact on his community, but it is sad that this proved to be one of the last occasions for many of Steve's friends and well-wishers to see him. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Steve's family relocated to New Jersey where ``Cap,'' as he was known to his classmates, graduated from Toms River High School. Steve was a four-sport athlete, and was active in many other organizations. He attended Franklin and Marshall University in Pennsylvania on a football scholarship, was active in student organizations and maintained honor roll grades. He went on to New Jersey's Rutgers University, where he was on the varsity football team for 3 years and earned the nickname the ``Golden Toe'' for his extra point kicking. He also held down various jobs throughout his college years. In fact, it was while working at the Raritan Arsenal that he met Miss Vivian Testa, whom he would go on to marry. But first, after graduating from Rutgers, Steve went into the Army and served as a paratrooper with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. He received a medical discharge in 1945. An active member of his church and community, Steve, along with other parishioners of Holy Rosary Church started one of the first Little Leagues in New Jersey. After years as a self-employed businessman, he was appointed director of health and welfare, parks and recreation of Edison Township. He became a Middlesex County Freeholder in 1968, serving as director of the board from 1979 until his retirement in 1992. From 1978 through 1984, Steve worked for the New Jersey Highway Authority, and was heavily involved in the senior citizen programs, ethnic festivals and other activities at the Garden State Arts Center. Steve's commitment to his church and his community was well-known. The list of his civic memberships, accomplishments, and awards is a long one, so it's no coincidence that the list of people who volunteered to help organize his testimonial dinner was also quite long. Perhaps the best indicator of the type of official and the type of man that Steve was comes through in his own assessment of his life and career: ``Life has been a lot of fun for Steve Capestro. Working with people is the greatest thrill of all. Working with the public is and always has been a pleasure and an honor.'' For those who knew him personally, and for those who only knew of him through his work, this statement was pure Steve Capestro. Indeed, the public and private sides of Steve were the same person--straight- forward, down to earth, someone who genuinely enjoyed working with people. For his friends, colleagues and the many others who benefited from his years of exemplary pubic service, Steve Capestro will truly be missed. I extend my deepest sympathies to Vivian and hope that the many tributes to Steve will be at least some comfort to her. Mr. Speaker, to my colleagues, in this House, I would say that the life and the public career of Steve Capestro represents everything that we should strive to be.