Lee Zeldin

The seven core values of the Army are the acronym LDRSHIP: Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. A good leader must be able to fulfill these core values and hold those around them to the highest standard of excellence. Whether serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, a United States Congressman, or a husband and father, Lee Zeldin proudly lives the 7 Army values regardless of whether he is wearing our nation’s uniform or not. Whether it be leading a campaign for Governor to “Save our State,” fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, or serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, Lee is always in pursuit of new challenges and new opportunities to lead. This keynote addresses the fundamental principles of leadership, and what it takes to be a leader who can take initiative to develop, build, and lead a team fearlessly into any battle.

During his 8 years on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as one of only two Jewish Republicans in Congress, and as Co-Chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, no one in the House of Representatives has been more at the tip of the spear this past decade in combating antisemitism, opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and strengthening the US-Israel relationship. From authoring legislation, to being the first to stake out strong, courageous positions that many others would often follow, Lee Zeldin’s leadership and insight on this topic has been second to none for many years in American politics. During his remarks, Congressman Zeldin will discuss how to combat antisemitism on our streets, in schools, and in the halls of government. He will outline a vision for the future that must be implemented by elected officials, school administrators, and community leaders, to ensure Jewish Americans are able to successfully tackle the many challenges faced and obstacles still in front of them.

A crime surge has overtaken major cities across the United States, spanning from New York City, to San Francisco, Chicago, and elsewhere. For Lee Zeldin, this crime wave has hit as close to home as it gets, literally.

On October 9, 2022, Lee and his wife, Diana, were forced to rush back home in Shirley, New York, after receiving a panicked phone call from their daughters alarming them to a drive-by gang shooting just outside of their house. Zeldin’s twin daughters were sitting at the kitchen table, doing homework on a quiet Sunday afternoon, when shots rang out, leaving multiple victims just feet away, and a bullet found just 30 feet away.

In his campaign for New York Governor, Lee Zeldin was a fierce advocate for reducing crime. Raised in a law enforcement household and running alongside a 25 year veteran of the NYPD, Zeldin’s campaign focused heavily on securing the streets, by rolling back pro-criminal laws, holding DAs accountable who refuse to enforce the law, and unapologetically backing our men and women in blue. His detailed, tough-on-crime platform resulted in more votes than any Republican statewide in 52 years.

Lee Zeldin is a family man who has dedicated his life to selfless service to his community and country while ensuring the proper balance with his family life. When we commit our time professionally to causes near and dear to our hearts, that can sometimes pull us too far away from our personal needs at home. As an Army veteran, former elected official, and candidate for New York State Governor, Lee Zeldin has experienced many of the challenges of full time work commitments that can put a strain on available family time. On top of it all, Lee was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2020, but was soon in remission and is extremely healthy. He knows what it takes to make everything in life fit together, and keep your family invested and happy, while still being able to achieve your career goals. This keynote will address the importance of support of the closest people around you, and steps you can take to discover a better balance.