Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor Mrs. Terry Lynn Collins for her hard work and commitment to the Grand Island community. Mrs. Collins is this year's recipient of Accu Theranostic's annual award and is being honored for her professional achievements as well as her active participation in many local groups. Mrs. Collins lived on Grand Island before marrying her husband Tim. The couple moved back to Grand Island in 1992 and, shortly after, had their younger son Joe. Their older son Matt is 24 and works in finance in Manhattan, NY. Joe is now 23 and is in his first year of law school. She remains active in the Cub Scouts, the GI Soccer Club, the Parent Teacher Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Network in Aging, and WordPress meetup. Furthermore, Mrs. Collins has made her mark in the business world. She received her BS in Electrical Engineering from the State University of NY at Buffalo as well as an MBA from Canisius College. Mrs. Collins serves as the president of Maroon Technology Ltd of Grand Island. She is also a Sales and Marketing professional with a strong background in Software Engineering. Mrs. Collins is a small business owner who serves many clients in Grand Island. Her firm is on the cutting edge of business marketing and web design. Her professional affiliations include Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, Sandler Strategic Sales, President's Club, and Toastmasters. She also is a Director on the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Collins will be joined by family and friends for the presentation of the award on June 24th. The event and dinner begins at 6PM at River Oaks on Grand Island. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to honor Mrs. Terry Lynn Collins. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Collins on her professional success and local involvement. Her leadership in business and technology has enhanced opportunities in Western New York and positively impacted the community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, globally, the National Institutes of Health works to protect against bioterrorist attacks and disease outbreaks. Domestically, its groundbreaking research provides treatments and cures for devastating diseases, such as Alzheimer's and cancer; and the more than 400,000 jobs provided through the National Institutes of Health bolster our economy. However, when we account for inflation, funding for the National Institutes of Health peaked in 2003. This budgetary reality has forced the NIH to administer fewer competitive research grants, to admit fewer new patients to its clinical trials, and to ultimately fall behind in scientific discoveries. Mr. Speaker, America cannot afford to continue to underfund the National Institutes of Health. This is why I started the House NIH Caucus with Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Peter King. I urge my colleagues to join us as we work together to develop a plan to increase the purchasing power of the National Institutes of Health. The time to act is now.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor the Buffalo Choral Arts Society for its work in the Buffalo community. The Society has immeasurably enriched the lives of many in the Western New York area through its song and commitment to the arts. Founded 50 years ago in 1966 by Robert F. Schulz, the Society has expanded to include a diverse group of over 100 singers drawn from within the Buffalo community. Led by conductor Marcia A. Giambrone who enters her 27th season with the choir, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society sings a full schedule of concerts throughout the year breathing life into music as diverse as Bach, pop and Broadway for the enjoyment of its audience. As ambassadors of Buffalo and Western New York as well as the United States of America as a whole, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society has travelled widely throughout both the nation and the world. Domestically they have performed in such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as in local Buffalo treasures such as the Historic Riviera Theatre. Whilst abroad, the Society has had the honor of performing as part of the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, as well as having toured throughout Europe and Canada, participating in important cultural exchange while showcasing the American choral tradition to a wide international audience. Voted ``Best Vocal Ensemble'' in each of the last four years in the Artvoice Best of Buffalo contest, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society continues to strive for excellence and to bring its sound to a wider audience. It will travel to New York City in early July to perform a series of concerts over the Independence Day weekend there. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize the Buffalo Choral Arts Society. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Buffalo Choral Arts Society on an accomplished history of choral music, and to commend it for the exemplary work it has done to enrich the communities of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. I thank the gentleman from California and thank you for your leadership on this and so many issues that are of critical importance to our Nation and our future. June is Alzheimer's Brain and Awareness month. It is the sixth- leading cause of death in this country. Over 5.3 million Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer's. By 2050, this number is expected to increase to 16 million. In my western New York community alone, 55,000 people have Alzheimer's or related dementia, and 165,000 people in our community are impacted directly or indirectly. Alzheimer's will cost the Nation $226 billion this year. By the year 2050, these costs will rise to as high as $1.1 trillion. Last year, Congress passed a law, the Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which created a bypass budget for Alzheimer's research. This will allow the National Institutes of Health to prepare a budget that will reach the estimated goal of funding effective prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's by 2025. This year, I introduced with my colleagues Rosa DeLauro and Peter King the Accelerating Biomedical Research Act. Over the next 6 years, our legislation would provide an additional $50 billion in funding to the National Institutes of Health above what is currently budgeted. We also established the House NIH Caucus to rally Members to develop a plan to increase the purchasing power of NIH. Mr. Speaker, Congress should also pass the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, the Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act. Mr. Garamendi, again, thank you for your leadership. We obviously, as a Congress, have a long way to go. The origins of Alzheimer's disease are unknown, but its ends are absolutely certain, and it ends in losing your cognitive ability, your dignity, and then it takes your life. It is time that Congress, in a bipartisan effort, provide robust funding to Alzheimer's research to end this terrible, terrible disease for future generations.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, John Granville grew up in south Buffalo. He had a curiosity about the world and a desire to serve others. He was a Fulbright scholar and a Peace Corps volunteer who became a career diplomat for the United States Agency for International Development. In 2007, John was distributing solar-powered radios to remote villages in South Sudan to ensure that the people could participate in upcoming elections. On New Year's Day in 2008, John and a colleague were targeted and assassinated by terrorists in Khartoum. He was 33 years old. Four men were convicted of the murders, but 6 years ago today, they escaped with the aid of a man later pardoned by Sudanese President al- Bashir. Two of the killers remain at large, and the Department of Justice has offered a $5 million reward for their arrest. Today, I will introduce a resolution calling on the State Department to maintain Sudan on the state sponsors of terrorism list until al- Bashir's pardon is repealed and John's killers are captured. When his family expressed concern about his safety, John would say that he knew his work was dangerous, but he wouldn't want to be doing anything else. Today, we remember a man of light and peace and pledge to bring to justice those who took him from us far too soon.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor Mrs. Lisa Purcell for her work in the Buffalo community. Mrs. Purcell has dedicated her time to aiding various charity organizations in the Buffalo area. As the founder of the Ryan Purcell Foundation, Mrs. Purcell has organized the annual Purcell Memorial 5K race. The Foundation is dedicated to her son Ryan Purcell who was killed in a hit and run accident in October of 2011. The Foundation is committed to honoring the life and memory of Ryan Purcell and raises funds to give to scholarships to high school students in the Buffalo area. Mrs. Purcell has also been a large supporter of the Mount Mercy Academy 5K race as well as their scholarship program. Mount Mercy Academy has been educating the young women of Western New York for over 110 years. Their Alumnae have grown to over 10,000 members, 70% of whom still live and work in Western New York. Mrs. Purcell is married to Dr. Peter Purcell D.D.S. and has five children as well as three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize Mrs. Lisa Purcell. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Purcell on an accomplished history of giving to charitable organizations, and to commend her for the exemplary work she has done to enrich the communities of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor Mrs. Karen Erickson for her work in the South Buffalo community. Mrs. Erickson has dedicated her career to acting as a public servant as well as giving back to her native community. Mrs. Erickson is a South Buffalo native who attended Mt. Mercy Academy in 1963 and received her Associate Degree from Erie Community College and her Bachelor's Degree from Houghton College. It was during the Jack Donohue 5K Race that Mrs. Erickson began the tradition of serving hot dogs along with her sorority sisters, a tradition which has continued after the retirement of ``Jack's 5K'' into the Mount Mercy Alumnae Race. Besides her contributions to Mount Mercy Academy Mrs. Erickson has also been the Athletic Director for Most Precious Blood School and the organizer of the George Leather, MPB Invitational Basketball Tournament for 25 years. She has also served on the Diocesan School Board, the School Board at St. Francis High School, Community Concern, and various organizations in the Town of Evans. She currently serves on the Board of the Business and Finance Academy at Lake Shore Central High School, Vice President of the Evans Democratic Club and serves on the Evans Economic Development Committee. Additionally she has, for the past five years, organized the Connors' 5K Wiener Run to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Shore. Finally Mrs. Erickson was the Deputy Supervisor in the Town of Evans for 12 years. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize Mrs. Karen Erickson. I ask that my colleagues join me congratulating Mrs. Erickson on an accomplished career, and to commend her for the exemplary work she has done to enrich the communities of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor Mr. Bill Murphy for his work in the South Buffalo community. Mr. Murphy has dedicated his career to helping area labor unions and injured workers in their legal battles against insurance companies and those that caused them harm. Mr. Murphy is a Bishop Timon high school class of 1989 graduate as well as a graduate of Medaille College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree. He would then go on to enroll in the University at Buffalo Law School where he developed the skills which made him a partner at the law firm Maxwell Murphy. Mr. Murphy prides himself on his Buffalo roots and on his ability to help those who live in his native town. The contributions that Mr. Murphy has made to the South Buffalo community are many and varied. He has served as a Chairman of the Timon Lawn Fete and Timon Sports Night. Both he and his law firm have donated to various community events throughout Western New York, and they have supported such events as the ``Run Jimmy Run'' Charity Race, the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Golf Outing, and the Mount Mercy Academy 5K. Additionally Mr. Murphy's law firm helped the students of Saints Peter and Paul Grade School to purchase new hockey uniforms to replace their worn jerseys. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize Mr. Bill Murphy. I ask that my colleagues join me congratulating Mr. Murphy on an accomplished career, and to commend him for the exemplary work he has done to enrich the communities of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the honorees of the 2015 Amherst Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Awards Luncheon here today. Each business and business leader has done their part to lead by example, demonstrating leadership in the business community and a shared dedication to improving the economic conditions of Western New York. Marketing Technologies of Western New York is dedicated to provide the best technology and services to fellow businesses. In recent years the company has been rapidly growing, in result Marketing Tech has been expanding its services and improving quality of support to businesses across Western New York. I commend this year's Trailblazer Award recipient, Don Papaj, The President and CEO of Marketing Technologies of WNY. Allen Dembski from Buffalo First Wealth Management, LLC has utilized his expertise to better serve his clients and his strong record of accomplishments have led him to being recognized here today. Mr. Dembski's ability to go beyond his role to ensure the small businesses in the community thrive is exemplary. His contributions promote the continued prosperity of other small businesses in the Western New York community. I am pleased to recognize this year's Small Business Advocate of the Year, Allen Dembski of Buffalo First Wealth Management. Cure the Blue of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Association sets out to raise awareness of prostate cancer in the Western New York Region and beyond. The foundation has devoted superior dedication to research, awareness and early detection of prostate cancer. It is my honor to recognize Booker Edgerson of the Cure the Blue, Buffalo Bills Alumni Association as this year's Presidents Award recipient. O'Connell and Company functions as a theatre company, although it exceeds that title by having an expansive impact on the community. O'Connell and Company's mission is to give back to the community which it entertains, by organizing fundraisers to aid women and children's charities. O'Connell and Company invests deeply in its community and strives to make Western New York a better place to work and live. I commend this year's Award of Excellence recipient, Mary Kate O'Connell founder of O'Connell and Company. Empire Genomics is on the precipitous of genomic research and technology. They strive to utilize the best in genomic technologies to advance research in their field. Empire Genomics is a global leader in the field of personalized medicine and assists clinicians, drug developers and researchers to answer key questions in disease diagnostics, prognosis and disease therapy. I applaud the work of founder Dr. Norma Nowak, and all those at Empire Genomics and congratulate them on their Sponsor's Award presented by First Niagara Bank. Tony Martin Awards, Inc. provides high quality services for all customers throughout Western New York. Tony Martin Awards has been serving the Western New York community for over 50 years with extraordinary contributions to the regional economy and professional expertise. I am pleased to recognize Tony Martin Awards, Inc. as the recipient of the Small Business of the Year Award. Santora's Pizza Pub and Grill has been a staple in Western New York, since 1927. They have been dedicated members of the community since their inception and it is my honor to commend this year's Family Owned Business Award recipient, Paul Santora of Santora's Pizza Pub & Grill. This impressive list of Small Businesses being honored at this year's Luncheon and Showcase deserve the extra recognition and I thank the Amherst Chamber of Commerce for bringing these distinguished business leaders together. I ask my colleagues to join me and wish the award recipients continued success in the years to come.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and honor the Buffalo Chapter of the Links for its work in the Buffalo community. The Buffalo Chapter of the Links has dedicated their time to aiding the Buffalo area through individual and collective volunteerism, as well as charitable giving and scholarship awards. The Buffalo Chapter of the Links is one of 281 chapters in the United States that encompasses national and area initiatives while addressing the needs of the local community through 6 main facets: Services to the Youth, the Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, Health and Human Services, and Women's Issues. Several members of the Buffalo Chapter have held area and national offices, including Link Thelma Hardiman, who served as National Vice President and Eastern Area Director, and Link Cecilia Henderson, who served as Eastern Area Vice Director, Eastern Area Director, and National Secretary. Being the 14th chapter chartered in the East and the 20th chapter chartered nationally, the Buffalo Chapter has a long history of service to the community, now celebrating 65 years. Throughout the Chapter's 65 years, they have collected over $600,000 in money for scholarships and have performed 150,200 hours, collectively, of service to the community. The Buffalo Chapter of the Links has worked on various projects in the Western New York region. They have supported local school districts through projects including but not limited to after school book clubs. As well, the Buffalo Chapter has also volunteered with the Buffalo Philharmonic Fund Drive for membership, with an emphasis on enrolling people of color; built 2 schools in South Africa, and have assisted women transitioning from service to their county to reentering the community. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize the Buffalo Chapter of the Links. I ask that my colleagues join me congratulating the Buffalo Chapter of the Links on an accomplished history of charitable giving, and to commend them for the exemplary work they have done to enrich the communities of Western New York for the last 65 years.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, 71 years ago this week, 160,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of northern France. Nine thousand were killed or wounded on D-day. Their bravery and sacrifice made possible the liberation of a continent and the defeat of an evil ideology. The American heroes who fought at Normandy are examples of what we want our country to be: courageous, generous, and undeterred by a commitment to freedom. But we owe every veteran from D-day to today more. We should remove the expiration dates in the GI bill so that veterans have access to education and training at any point in their career. We should pass an infrastructure plan with a preference for hiring veterans in the building and construction trades. We should help veterans keep medical appointments by providing child care at the VA clinics. And we should make sure that our veterans hospitals are state- of-the-art facilities. Mr. Speaker, this weekend I will join all Americans and remember our soldiers who fought on D-day. May our country always be worthy of their sacrifice.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I joined the Pride Center of Western New York to celebrate the LGBTQ community and kick off Buffalo Pride Week. Last week Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti, and the Rainbow City Coalition raised the rainbow flag for the first time at city hall in Niagara Falls. Western New York's Pride Week comes at a particularly historic time. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. I believe that it does. I was proud to join 211 of my colleagues in Congress in filing an amicus brief urging the Court to find such a right in its ruling. Mr. Speaker, marriage equality is one of the important components of a larger effort to ensure that everyone has the same basic rights as each and every American. I congratulate the Pride Center of Western New York and the Rainbow City Coalition for their community efforts this week and advocacy for equality each and every day, and I hope next year Pride Week will celebrate a Supreme Court decision that honors the right of all Americans to marry the person they love.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and congratulate Dr. Faruk Koreishi on his retirement after serving 40 years with the Retina Consultants of Western New York. Dr. Koreishi is the founder of the Retina Consultants of Western New York and has dedicated his career to not only bringing vitally important vitreoretinal surgery to Western New York but also to serving his community. Dr. Koreishi was the very first physician in the Western New York area who was dedicated to the practice of vitreoretinal surgery. This type of surgery focuses on the vitreous fluid which fills the eye. Among his many accomplishments is the fact that he performed vision- saving surgery on then-Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello. While working to help those suffering from severe vision impairments Dr. Koreishi was also an active and engaged member of his community. He served on the board of the Islamic Society of the Niagara Frontier, the Family Justice Center, and the Coalition for the Advancement of Muslim Women. He has also been a large supporter of various other organizations such as the Western New York Food Bank, Hospice of Buffalo, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, and the public television station WNED. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize Dr. Faruk Koreishi. I ask that my colleagues join me congratulating Dr. Koreishi on an accomplished career, and to commend him for the exemplary work he has done to enrich the communities of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, Congress is engaged in a vigorous debate about national trade policy, but no matter where you stand on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Export-Import Bank is one trade program that we should all get behind. After all, this is a Federal agency that operates at no cost to taxpayers and whose sole purpose is to create jobs by helping American manufacturers increase exports. The Export-Import Bank provides loans to help American businesses compete against foreign companies that receive subsidies from their governments, and it provides credit to facilitate the sale of American goods abroad. Since 2009, the Export-Import Bank has helped dozens of businesses in western New York export nearly $100 million in goods and has helped create or sustain 1.3 million jobs across this Nation. A number of local business leaders, including Barre Banks, the owner of Midland Machinery in Tonawanda, have reached out to my office to share their stories of success with the Bank and to warn against its expiration. I urge the majority to stand with American businesses, protect American jobs, and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the infrastructure investment can be an economic game changer. In western New York, the Federal highway bill funded the reconstruction of Fuhrman Boulevard, which reconnected our community with its waterfront, resulting in new private sector investment. From Filmore Avenue and Ohio Street in Buffalo to Main Street in Williamsville, the Robert Moses Parkway in Niagara Falls, and Kenmore Avenue in Tonawanda, tens of millions of Federal dollars are contributing to transformative projects in our community. The construction of these projects has economic benefits as well. 660,000 jobs depend on Federal road and transit investment. Yet today, the House will extend, for just 2 months, the Federal transportation program that is weak and inadequate. We can do much better. America needs a long-term bill that provides funding. We need to create jobs and bring our infrastructure to a state of good repair. Last week, I introduced the Nation Building Here at Home Act to do just that. Congress should be humbled that it has allowed our infrastructure to fall into such disrepair, and we should use these 2 months to pass a long-term bill that America needs.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, every year, our economy loses $33 billion to air traffic delays, $121 billion to highway congestion, and $200 billion to freight bottlenecks. Unless we increase spending on waterways, America will lose $270 billion in exports over the next 5 years. According to the Chamber of Commerce, our declining infrastructure costs $1 trillion a year in lost economic growth. Ignoring these facts is economically irrational and governmentally negligent, but that is exactly what Congress has done. We just spent $50 billion on our roads and bridges and transit, and only 8 percent, or $46 billion, in 2009 economic stimulus went to infrastructure; yet we spent over $150 billion rebuilding the infrastructure of Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Society of Civil Engineers has identified an enormous deficit between the projected spending and what is needed to bring our infrastructure to a state of good repair. Today, I introduced the Nation Building Here at Home Act to close this gap. It is time for Congress to make the investments we need and reject the pathetically weak policies that we can no longer afford.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, recently, I met with two veterans and their families who traveled to Buffalo for medical treatment. Initially, I thought they were receiving care at our highly-regarded VA hospital, but in fact, they were brought to Buffalo by Operation Backbone, an organization that works with private doctors to provide specialty care that is not available within the VA system. The families expressed frustration that they could not obtain through the VA the highly specialized and efficient care they were receiving in Buffalo. It was not until Operation Backbone arranged their treatments and the Buffalo Sabres hockey team facilitated recovery that these men received the care they needed. I commend Operation Backbone and the Buffalo Sabres for their commitment to our veterans, but their work is necessary only because Congress is failing in its responsibility to these men and women. When we ask our servicemembers to put their bodies on the line, we incur a moral obligation to get them the best possible care when injury occurs. Last year, Congress provided funding for the VA to hire more physician specialists. It was a good first step, but making sure the VA has the resources to care for our veterans is a sacred responsibility that will require our attention this year and for many years to come.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Martin Doster on his retirement after serving 33 years with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Doster has been a vital member of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation since 1982 and has dedicated his career to conserve, improve, and protect New York's natural resources and environment. Mr. Doster has served as the Western New York Regional Remediation Engineer for the Division of Environmental Remediation since 1989 and formerly was an engineer with the division of water beginning in 1982. During his tenure Mr. Doster oversaw the New York State Superfund Emergency Response Program where he was responsible for managing and coordinating efforts to remediate property impacted by hazardous waste. He has been responsible for the design and construction of many significant projects in Western New York, such as the Buffalo River Restoration Project and the Buffalo Color Remediation. Mr. Doster has also protected Western New York's Environment by implementing and enforcing the Clean Water Act, The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. Mr. Doster's service to the Western New York community does not stop with his work at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Doster has helped educate future Civil and Environmental Engineers at University at Buffalo through graduate level courses and lectures. He has served as a leader in his community as a Past President and Chairman of the First Trinity Lutheran Church. Mr. Doster has the utmost pride in his community; this is demonstrated by his volunteer service to the American Red Cross as a local team supervisor, service as a Boy Scout Troop Leader and devoting 8 years as as a DEC Team Leader for Brush Up Buffalo. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor and recognize Mr. Martin Doster. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. Doster on an accomplished career, and to commend him for the exemplary work he has done to enrich the communities and protect the environment of Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to honor Ms. Barbara Wagner. Ms. Wagner is being honored by the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus with the prestigious title of `Artistic Director Emeritus'. Ms. Wagner was the founding artistic director of the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus. She helped found the group in 2001 and conducted their first meeting on September 11th. Although this day was tragic to all Americans, this group was able to find solace during their first rehearsal. Ms. Wagner bound the newly formed choir with the song ``How Can I Keep From Singing,'' which would then go on to be performed at every concert and rehearsal for her 10 year tenure and beyond. While the choir was under Ms. Wagner's leadership, the Buffalo Gay Men's Choir received numerous awards, and performed on some of the grandest stages in Buffalo. With Ms. Wagner's direction the BGMC received multiple ``Best in Buffalo'' Awards from the local Artvoice newspaper, and was recognized by the Empire State Pride Agenda in 2005 for excellence in music and dedication to the community. Ms. Wagner led the choir to receive the prestigious Buffalo and Erie County Arts Council Award for exceptional contributions to the arts and cultural community in Western New York. Under Ms. Wagner's leadership the choir performed at the historic Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, and alongside the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Barbara Wagner's commitment to The Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus is to be recognized with the distinguished title of `Artistic Director Emeritus', during a special ceremony in their upcoming concert. I ask today, Mr. Speaker, that we honor her dedication to the arts and successes as choir director.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Solar Ready Vets program, the recently announced Federal initiative to train veterans for jobs in the solar industry. Solar power accounted for 32 percent of electricity-generating capacity that came online in the United States last year, creating 31,000 American jobs. The energy company, SolarCity, will soon open one of the largest solar panel manufacturing plants in the world in my home community of Buffalo, New York, creating 3,500 jobs in our region. The solar industry employs 174,000 Americans, a number that is quickly increasing. We should seize the opportunity to ensure that our veterans can participate in this growth. The Solar Ready Vets program trains veterans for jobs in the solar industry at 10 military bases across the country. We are calling for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to be one of those sites. This program creates jobs, fights climate change, and provides economic opportunity to returning veterans. I call on Congress to support our veterans, support clean energy, and support American jobs by supporting the Solar Ready Vets program.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Clifford Bell, my friend and former colleague and a beloved member of the Buffalo community. A public servant, Mr. Bell served for twelve years as a member of the Buffalo Common Council and chaired the Economic Development Committee. A model citizen, Mr. Bell worked for 50 years in the dry cleaning business and then joined the Small business Development Center for the Buffalo State College. His commitment to local business does not end there, however, as he also personally led a delegation to France for the Mayor of Buffalo where he discussed international trade while representing five local businesses. Mr. Bell's dedication to the community extends far beyond his political and economic endeavors as he also was an active member of various community groups. Mr. Bell has been a member of The Luther Church of Our Savior for over sixty years where he has held a number of various positions. Mr. Bell has also chaired the Martin Luther King Celebration for 30 years, delivering incredible performances at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, and has been the recipient of over one hundred awards including the New York State Governor's Martin Luther King Senior's Award for his advocacy of civil rights and community work. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor the life of Clifford Bell. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding Mr. Bell's outstanding history of service to the City of Buffalo and the people of the Western New York community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Benjamin Hochfield, who tragically passed away on November 24, 2014 at the young age of 43. A passionate family man and public servant, Mr. Hochfield was a prominent member of the Western New York community. Mr. Hochfield touched many lives of various groups in Western New York. While working for Erie County Department of Environment and Planning and the County Attorney's office, he earned the respect and became close with many public officials and employees. He was a prominent figure in Buffalo's music community and an advocate for beautifying the Elmwood Village. His reach to members of the community was many and varied. Mr. Hochfield had many passions in his life, but his first love was of music. From a young age Mr. Hochfield began studying piano and guitar. His passions led him to attend The Berkley College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he further developed his craft. When he returned home to Buffalo, he continued his passion and played with several local bands, most notably with ``Necktie Tourniquet.'' Mr. Hochfield's passions continued with his endearment for gardening. Influenced by his loving wife Tracey, he spent hours beautifying the garden by her side. Their prized garden was featured during Buffalo's famous Garden Walk of 2014. Mr. Hochfield hand crafted a stone fountain at the center of their garden that helped attract individuals from all over the country to view their garden. Here is an account written for the Buffalo Rising paper by a neighbor of Mr. Hochfield. When I first purchased my house on Norwood Avenue, almost 20 years ago, people told me that I was nuts. Upon moving in, the first thing that I noticed in the back ``yard'' of my house was a number of discarded purses (from purse snatchings) and gang graffiti tags. Over the years my neighborhood has seen a drastic turnaround. It started with Elmwood Avenue rebounding, which in turn made the intertwined residential neighborhoods more desirable. Avenues and streets such as Norwood truly began to shine when home owners started to plant gardens, paint houses, and replace their front porches. Organizations such as Garden Walk contributed to the movement. Slowly but surely a healthy community began to take hold.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day was established by the Israeli Parliament in 1951, and it coincides with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Later, Congress established annual Days of Remembrance, which we also celebrate this week. Memorial and educational activities will take place in schools, places of worship, and communities across this Nation. This is a time to mourn the millions of victims of the Holocaust, and it is an annual reminder to Americans--indeed, to all of humanity--that we must never forget the evil that man visited upon his fellow man. It was a Supreme Court Justice from western New York, Robert H. Jackson, who served as the lead American prosecutor of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials. In recognition of his work to expose the horrors of the Holocaust, we named the new Federal courthouse in Buffalo in Jackson's honor. Tomorrow, in western New York and across the country, Americans will memorialize the victims of the Holocaust, and we will pray for vigilance and for the resolve to stop such evil from ever happening again.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today, on Equal Pay Day, we call attention to the fact that American women who work full time are paid only 78 percent of what men earn. For women of color, the discrepancy is worse. This pay gap will cost a 25-year-old woman $34,000 over the next 5 years. Over her career, she will lose $431,000 relative to men. Women make up nearly half of the American workforce. Underpaying half of our workers hurts women, hurts families, and hurts the economy. In New York, we have the smallest pay gap among the States, but women in New York still earn only 86 cents for every dollar a man is paid. We can do much better. When President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, which requires equal pay for equal work, women's pay was 59 percent of men's. We have made progress, but time has exposed loopholes that hinder the law. I call on the House to pass Congresswoman DeLauro's Paycheck Fairness Act, which would close these loopholes and bring us closer to pay equity. Let's act now to make equal pay for equal work a reality.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Carmela Trippi, a stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party, who passed away on April 2, 2015 at the age of 105. A beloved voice in Western New York politics, Mrs. Trippi's commitment helped shape our region in a positive way. Mrs. Trippi's passion for democratic values began in the 1940's where she advocated on behalf of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She went on to become an influential committeewoman for the Democratic Party. In her early political life she contributed to President John F. Kennedy and New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy campaigns and she then became the founder of the Jacqueline Kennedy Woman's Democratic Club, and served as president for over fifty years. Mrs. Trippi was a prominent voice in the Western New York community. She had ties to former Mayor of Buffalo, Frank Sedita and Former Congressman of Western New York, Henry Nowak. Mrs. Trippi helped influence sweeping change while serving on Congressman Nowak's staff for eighteen years. She also served on the staff of current New York Court of Appeals Judge Eugene Fahey while he was a Buffalo Common Council member. Mrs. Trippi signified her place in Western New York Political history by working first hand with voters, knocking on doors in the community. Her passion for campaigning never faded. She would go door to door even into her 90's and never wavered in her commitment and support as an Erie County Democratic Committee member. Mrs. Trippi's work in Western New York has not gone unrecognized. In 2004 she was nominated for the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame. While her milestone birthdays were always recognized by the community, her 99th birthday was honored by the Erie County Legislature. Mrs. Trippi will be remembered fondly by all members of the Western New York community and recalled for her passion and commitment to Democratic values. Mrs. Trippi believed politics are an essential aspect of life and urged all involved to be genuine and compassionate while serving the public. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to honor Mrs. Carmela Trippi. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Her good work and selfless devotion to Western New York will inspire many others to stand behind their principles and be involved in their communities.