Exhibit 32.1

               STATEMENT FURNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
               SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

      The undersigned, George L. Engelke, Jr., is the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Astoria Financial Corporation (the "Company").

      This statement is being furnished in connection with the filing by the
Company of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2005 (the "Report").

      By execution of this statement, I certify that:

      (A)   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
            15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or
            78o(d)) and

      (B)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company as of the dates and for the periods covered by the
            Report.

March 10, 2006                                    /s/ George L. Engelke, Jr.
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    Dated                                             George L. Engelke, Jr.