Long Island Association Commemorates Centennial with Capitol Hill Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Long Island Association Commemorates Centennial with 

Capitol Hill Recognition 

 
LIA Leadership and Board Members Traveled to Washington D.C. to Meet with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Long Island's Congressional Delegation -- U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Thomas Suozzi, and Laura Gillen
 
Images from LIA’s Washington, D.C. trip can be found here. 
 
Melville, NY -- July 21, 2026 -- The Long Island Association (LIA), the region's leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization, traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to commemorate its centennial – marking 100 years of advocating for Long Island's business community and regional economic growth. During the visit, LIA leadership and Board members were formally recognized on the floor of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in honor of the organization's century of service to the region.
 
LIA leaders met with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as members of Long Island's Congressional Delegation, U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Thomas Suozzi, and Laura Gillen, to discuss the federal policies and investments critical to the region's future growth. Conversations focused on strengthening Long Island's economy through investments in infrastructure, housing, workforce development, energy reliability, small business growth, innovation, and other priorities that have defined the LIA's advocacy efforts for the past 100 years and will continue to shape its work into its second century.
 
Lawrence J. Waldman, LIA Board Chairman: "For a century, the Long Island Association has brought together business, civic, and government leaders to help shape a stronger future for our region. 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."
 
"As we celebrate the Long Island Association's 100th anniversary, we're also looking ahead to the next century of advocacy on behalf of our region,” said Stacey Sikes, LIA Acting President and CEO. “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."
 
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer: "For 100 years, the Long Island Association has been the beating heart of Long Island’s economy, fighting to make the Island a place where businesses can grow, jobs get created, and families can afford to live, work, and raise their kids. It was 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. I have always cherished my partnership with the LIA, and I will keep working with them every step of the way to make sure Long Island’s best days are always ahead.”
 
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “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. I congratulate LIA on its centennial and am proud to support its crucial advocacy for the region’s business community. I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure families, workers, and businesses on Long Island have what they need to succeed, supporting investments that lay the foundation for a bright future.”
 
U.S. Representative Nick LaLota: “It’s a pleasure to welcome leadership from the Long Island Association to Washington to mark the organization's 100th anniversary and recognize its role as a voice for the Long Island business community. I look forward to continuing our work together on the challenges we face today, from reining in our region’s affordability crisis, improving Long Island infrastructure, securing good-paying jobs, and ensuring Long Island remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and grow a business.”
 
U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino: “I was happy to welcome the Long Island Association to Washington as they celebrate 100 years of advocating for Long Island's business community. For a century, 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. Congratulations on this well-earned milestone, and I look forward to continuing to work together to keep Long Island's economy strong.”
 
U.S. Representative Thomas Suozzi: “For 100 years, the Long Island Association has helped bring our region together to solve problems, plan for the future, and keep us competitive. 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. Congratulations on a remarkable 100 years!”
 
U.S. Representative Laura Gillen: “For a century, the Long Island Association 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. I look forward to our continued partnership as we build a more prosperous future for every Long Islander.”
 
Billy Haugland, CEO, Haugland Group and LIA Board Member: "Long Island's future depends on continued investment in the infrastructure, energy systems, and skilled workforce that power our economy. 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."
 
Katherine Heaviside, President, Epoch 5 and LIA Board Member: "Helping organizations build trust, strengthen communities, and tell their stories has been foundational to Long Island’s business community for decades. The LIA does that beautifully by uniting leaders around the issues that matter most. I am excited to look ahead to Long Island's next 100 years of growth and opportunity."
 
Luis Vazquez, President, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LIA Board Member: "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. 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."
 
The Long Island Association's Centennial Celebration will culminate in a gala event on November 4, 2026. This milestone event will honor the legacy of the LIA and feature conversations with important leaders who have helped define the LIA’s mission and impacted its success over the years. More information about the celebration can be found here.
 
About the Long Island Association
The Long Island Association (LIA) is celebrating its Centennial in 2026, and 100 years of advocating for the region’s business community and economic growth as a non-partisan, non-profit organization. The LIA’s regional leadership has played a direct role in shepherding progress by urging for government policies and securing funding that created jobs for people who sought the suburban way of life. The LIA is the voice for businesses in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and has introduced unparalleled opportunities for businesses to network and build relationships to accelerate their growth. For more information, visit longislandassociation.org.