Ahead of its centennial gala in November, the Long Island Association was recognized on the floors of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives this week as it marks 100 years of serving Long Island’s business community.
LIA Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes and members of the organization’s Board of Directors met with U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillbrand, and members of Long Island’s congressional delegation: U.S. Reps. Thomas Suozzi, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Laura Gillen. The meetings addressed a range of issues shaping Long Island’s economic future, including infrastructure, housing, workforce development, energy reliability, small business growth and innovation.
For LIA leadership, their time in Washington was meaningful.
“For a century, the Long Island Association has brought together business, civic, and government leaders to help shape a stronger future for our region,” LIA Board Chairman Lawrence Waldman said in a news release about the recognition.
“I am proud to celebrate this milestone in Washington alongside our members and elected leaders, and I’m confident the LIA will continue serving as Long Island’s leading voice for economic growth and opportunity for generations to come,” he added.
Sikes said that as the LIA celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is also focused on the next century of advocacy.
“This recognition, and our meetings on Capitol Hill, reinforced the importance of strong partnerships with federal leaders to advance policies that strengthen Long Island’s economy, support our employers and workforce, and make our region more affordable and competitive for future generations,” she said in the news release.
Schumer, in the news release, called it “an honor to celebrate this milestone with the LIA in our nation’s capital and to talk about the issues that will define Long Island’s next century: an affordable and reliable energy future, building more housing to lower costs, modernized mass transit, and keeping the region competitive so investment and innovation come to Long Island, not somewhere else.”
Gillibrand said Long Island is an “important hub for economic advancement in New York State, and the Long Island Association has helped keep it that way for decades.” She said in the news release that she is “proud to support its crucial advocacy for the region’s business community.”
Members of Long Island’s congressional delegation, according to the news release, welcomed the LIA during its centennial.
LaLota said it was “a pleasure” to “recognize [the organization’s] role as a voice for the Long Island business community.”
Garbarino said the “LIA has been a strong voice on the issues that matter most to our region, from supporting small businesses and strengthening our workforce to improving infrastructure and expanding housing.”
Suozzi said the LIA “understands that Long Island is strongest when business and government, employers and workers, and leaders from every sector join forces to shape smart policy, encourage investment, and support the businesses and jobs that power our economy.”
Gillen said the LIA “has been at the heart of our region’s economy and business community. I’ve seen firsthand how its dedication has delivered real results and brought business and government leaders together.”
LIA board members, according to the news release, weighed in on the recognition.
“Long Island’s future depends on continued investment in the infrastructure, energy systems, and skilled workforce that power our economy,” Billy Haugland, CEO of Haugland Group, said.
“For 100 years, the Long Island Association has been a trusted advocate for those priorities, and I’m proud to join fellow business leaders in Washington as we celebrate the organization’s remarkable legacy and the work still ahead,” he said.
“Helping organizations build trust, strengthen communities and tell their stories has been foundational to Long Island’s business community for decades,” Katherine Heaviside, president of Epoch 5, said.
“The LIA does that beautifully by uniting leaders around the issues that matter most,” she said.
“For Hispanic and minority-owned businesses, our shared mission with the Long Island Association is abundantly clear: creating opportunities for enterprises of every size to truly succeed,” Luis Vazquez, president of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“As the LIA celebrates its 100th year of leadership, we are honored to advocate for the policies, partnerships, and investments that will strengthen our economy and uplift the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs,” he said.
Adina Genn
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