Lester L. Wolff

Lester L. Wolf
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973
Preceded by	Steven B. Derounian
Succeeded by	Angelo D. Roncallo
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 6th district
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Seymour Halpern
Succeeded by	John LeBoutillier
Personal details
Born	January 4, 1919 New York City
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Marketing consultant
Religion	Judaism

Lester Lionel Wolff (born January 4, 1919) is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.

Wolff was born in New York City and lectured at New York University from 1939 until 1941 after studying there. He served in the Civil Air Patrol from 1945 until 1950 and from 1968 until 1980. He was elected to Congress in 1964 and served from January 3, 1965 until January 3, 1981. Through redistricting he initially represented the 3rd District and later the 6th District.

He lost his bid for re-election to John LeBoutillier, a Republican, in the 1980 House election.

Congressional Career

Wolff introduced amendments to the White-House sponsored Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to restore the initiative for direct peace talks between Israel and the Arab States.

During Wolff's 1978 congressional delegation to China, he met with Deng Xiaoping, the Father of Modern China. The Deng-Wolff Conversation conducted during this time was credited for its particular importance in the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States.

Wolff served as Chairman of the Asian and Pacific Affairs Committee of the United States Congress. He is credited as the author for the Taiwan Relations Act signed into law on April 10, 1979. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, Public Law 96-8) was born of the need of the United States to find a way to protect its significant security and commercial interests in the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan in the wake of President Jimmy Carter's termination of diplomatic relations and a mutual defense treaty of 25 years.

Due to his expertise in Asian culture and relations, Wolff is a well sought-after consultant in Asian affairs.

Wolff is currently a resident of Muttontown, New York.

References

• Lester L. Wolff at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress