Pols seek tribute for Tom Manton

Congressmember Joseph Crowley and Senator Chuck Schumer have introduced legislation in order to rename the Woodside post office in honor of the late Congressmember and Queens powerbroker Thomas Manton.
Crowley, who took over Manton's congressional seat when he retired from Congress, wants the new name of the building to be named &#8220Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building.”
&#8220It is fitting we pay tribute to the long career and the enduring memory of Tom Manton as a first-rate public representative of the community and a first-rate human being by naming this post office in Woodside in his honor,” Crowley said.
Manton represented the community of Woodside for 29 years in public office, serving from 1970 through 1985 as the city council representative and then moving on to serve the community as a Congressmember until 1999.
Prior to his time as an elected official, Manton served as a police officer in the New York Police Department as well as spending time in the Marines.
In addition to his service as a Congressmember and Councilmember, Manton served as the Chair of the powerful Queens Democratic Organization for 20 years and was recognized as one of the most influential people in Queens as well as New York City politics. He served in that position until he died on July 22, 2006 at the age of 73.
The legislation is expected to be brought to the floor of the House and Senate for a vote before Congress adjourns.
&#8220Throughout his life, Thomas Manton epitomized both patriotism and public service through his remarkable commitment to his community and constituents,” Schumer said. &#8220We owe him our deepest respect and gratitude and it is only fitting that the post office in his beloved Woodside bears his name.”