Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 657, which has been offered by Mr. Kennedy from Minnesota. I thank my colleague for introducing this resolution during Catholic Schools Week 2006. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing quality education for American youth. The mission of these institutions--to build solid foundations for lives of confidence, faith, and service--has had a tremendous impact in shaping family values and community life across the country, and particularly in my community in Western New York. In my hometown, neighborhoods are often known by the names of their Catholic Schools and Parishes, and the many families that are active in Catholic schools are enriched by the values they espouse. Indeed, I have spent my life as a first-hand witness to the beneficial work of Catholic schools. My mother was a teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and my two children, John and Maeve, are enrolled at St. Martin of Tours Catholic School in South Buffalo. My family and I are personally grateful for the contributions that America's Catholic schools have been making to families like ours, and American society at large, for more than four centuries. Today, more than 7,700 Catholic schools and 160,000 Catholic school teachers nationwide are making valuable contributions to education and are playing an integral role in shaping a brighter, stronger future for our nation. Together, they will teach 2.4 million students, an astounding 99 percent of which will graduate and 97 percent of those graduates will go on to college. As these students become adults, their intelligence and character will benefit communities in Western New York and throughout the nation. I thank the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for cosponsoring this week-long event and for helping to increase awareness for Catholic education across this great country. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in supporting this resolution, and I thank my colleague Mr. Kennedy for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Uber for her success in overcoming disabilities to become a high quality worker. Please insert the following article from the Jamestown Post Journal of December 18, 2005 into the Record. State Agency Names Jamestown Woman ``Outstanding Performer'' Mary Uber of Jamestown recently was honored by the state as an ``Outstanding Performer'' for her success in overcoming disabilities to become a high-quality worker. Ms. Uber was recognized by New York State Industries for the Disabled as part of its annual program to acknowledge exceptional job performance and personal success by people with disabilities employed on NYSID contracts. She has a job through The Resource Center's Environmental Services division, which employs people with disabilities in janitorial jobs throughout Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Some of its cleaning contracts come to The Resource Center through NYSID. Ms. Uber has overcome disabilities and a history of short- term job experiences to become a successful member of the Environmental Services team. While lacking in self-assurance at first, Ms. Uber, who now is in her fifth year as a custodian, proved that she had a desire to work and was willing to try any job assigned to her. She has grown tremendously in terms of personal maturity and her ability on the job. Due to hard work and personal growth, Ms. Uber was promoted to the position of leader of a three-person crew that cleans the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Little Valley. As the lead member of the crew, she is responsible for seeing that all cleaning tasks are completed and supplies are on hand. She must also communicate with the customer as well as her supervisor, who says of Ms. Uber, ``She takes charge, thinks on her feet and can lead others.'' With the Resource Center's assistance, Ms. Uber has obtained her driver's license, so she now can transport her crew members and cleaning supplies to Little Valley, and she also is able to work extra cleaning jobs at some of Environmental Services' other contract sites. The Resource Center honored Ms. Uber as part of its observance of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Ms. Uber has overcome many odds to set herself apart and achieve great things, that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor her today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Toni and David ``Googie'' Willis of Dunkirk, New York for their leadership in raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This amazing pair of dedicated people have been the organizers for the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association for many years. Their countless hours of volunteer work should never go unnoticed. These unsung heroes give their all in the effort to raise funds so that others may have a better life. Through the years Toni and Googie have helped raise $65,000 for the cause. Without their devotion and passion this would never be possible. Toni and Googie have given their all for a wonderful cause without stopping to think of themselves, that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor them today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the exemplary service that Jan Borman provided for the labor community of western New York. Jan began her career in the labor force in 1966 as an operator at New York Telephone. She was active as a job steward and then chief steward as a frame tech at the Hertel Central office in Buffalo, NY. In 1986 Jan was elected area vice president of the Communication Worker's of America, CWA, Local 1122 where she represented New York Telephone, Visiting Nursing Association and Jewish Family Services employees. As CWA area vice president, Jan extended herself and her talents to several worthy community organizations including: The United Way, Citizens Action, AFL-CIO and the Monsignor Healy Foundation. In 1994 Jan was elected to the Board of Directors of the United Way and was also active on the boards of the Work Force Development Committee, and Independent Health of western New York. Jan's involvement in organized labor flourished, and she served in several leadership capacities. In 2000, Jan was the first woman ever to be elected as executive vice president of CWA Local 1122. Jan demonstrated her commitment to labor and earned the trust of her fellow members and in 2003 Jan Borman became the first woman President of CWA Local 1122. Most recently Jan was elected as recording secretary for the Buffalo Council AFL-CIO CLC where she demonstrated her commitment to the organized labor movement. Jan will be remembered for her dedication and pursuit of just labor causes. Her service enriched the lives of so many men and women who live and work in the western New York area. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have worked with Jan Borman. She served CWA Local 1122 proudly and with strong conviction. I would like to thank Jan for her service to our community and wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the public service and personal strength of character of Anthony M. Masiello, who will complete his third and final term as the 57th Mayor of the City of Buffalo on December 31, 2005. Coupled with his deep and abiding love and loyalty to his beautiful family, Mayor Masiello will always be known for his enthusiastic and unwavering love for the City of Buffalo, New York. Through the triumphs and the tribulations of serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the second largest city in New York State, Mayor Masiello never gave up, never gave in and has led us to a better Buffalo. Born the oldest of seven children, Tony Masiello learned the value of family, hard work and the importance of giving back to one's community from his parents, Bridget and Dan. Educated in Buffalo Catholic Schools, Mayor Masiello graduated from Canisius College in 1969 after a Hall of Fame basketball career with the Division I Golden Griffins. In 1971, the voters embraced his competitive spirit and youthful energy and elected him District Councilmember and soon after, he won his first citywide election as an At-Large Councilmember on the Buffalo City Council. In 1980, he was elected to the New York State Senate becoming ``Buffalo's Senator.'' Re-elected to 7 2-year terms, he rose through the ranks to Minority Whip and Chair of the Democratic Conference. During his tenure in the State Legislature, then-Senator Masiello secured greater funding for the city's public school system, increased financial support for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital, Buffalo's nationally known health care institutions. He helped fund housing developments and provided leadership in the passage of the Vietnam Veterans Tuition Assistance Bill. This commitment to education, health care, housing and the needs of others would foreshadow the Mayor's greatest achievements in his next elected office. Anthony M. Masiello was sworn in as the 57th Mayor of the city of Buffalo on January 1, 1994. Since that time, he has tackled daunting financial challenges while instituting sweeping changes in the way the city conducts its business and delivers essential services. He initiated and implemented the Mayor's Impact team; a hands-on Task Force consisting of various city departments working together to perform comprehensive clean-up, maintenance and inspection services in the city, the Citizens Service Hotline and the Good Neighbors Planning Alliance to ensure real residential participation in planning the city's future. Mayor Masiello led the creation of the Joint Schools Construction Program, an ambitious, pioneering construction and rehabilitation program to provide a 21st Century learning environment for the city's public school students. In 2000, the Mayor proposed state legislation that allowed the city to construct new schools and renovate existing buildings with private financing and now, more than $150 million is being spent in Phase I of the Joint Schools Construction Project to renovate nine schools. Eventually all schools will be renovated or rebuilt giving Buffalo School students the proper facilities and the high tech equipment fundamental to meeting the academic challenges of today and tomorrow. As citizens of Buffalo, we are also indebted to the Mayor for his vision in bringing together the leaders of the local health care and medical school institutions as well as, for the first time, the neighborhood leaders from the Fruit Belt and Allentown, to create the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in the City's center. Through mutual respect and recognition of the need for improved communication, expert planning for shared needs and future growth, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Board of Directors continues to attract local, state and federal funding which has transformed the Campus with more than $300 million dollars of investment in state-of-the-art health care and research facilities. Recruiting efforts for national and international medical, scientific and research talent is succeeding and all efforts have the shared goal of enhancing the opportunities for the Campus' neighbors and its neighborhood. The story and the success of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is rightly attributable to the ability of Mayor Masiello to bring people together, impart the absolute need to work together and help direct the first $14 million in ``seed money'' that led to hundreds of millions of dollars in real private/pubic investments. And it is the Mayor's commitment to implementation that led to one of the greatest achievements in the history of the City of Buffalo as it was recognized with the 2005 National American Planning Association Award for ``The Queen City Hub: A Regional Action Plan for Downtown Buffalo, as the best plan in the country. The plan's development began in the late 1990's as the Mayor created a partnership with the City of Buffalo, the University of Buffalo Urban Design Project and Buffalo Place, the leading business group dedicated to downtown development, with the mission of making downtown Buffalo a 24/7 community to live, work and play. This effort has more than succeeded with $1 billion dollars of public and private investment in the ground and in planning stages that includes the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to the waterfront and connects to the east and west side neighborhoods of Buffalo. The Mayor himself led'' Seeing Is Believing,'' a series of highly successful walking tours of downtown Buffalo through 2004 and 2005 where hundreds of people followed this very tall Mayor as he walked briskly in and out of converted buildings which now features the wildly popular loft apartments, theatres, grocery stores, mixed use buildings, new single family homes and pointed proudly to green space, traffic improvements and new hope for future growth. While he gives credit to all who joined him in this collaboration, it was Mayor Masiello who created the partnership that led to the Queen City Hub plan and developed the award-winning road map to be followed by those who will follow him. Mayor Masiello's ability to create real partnerships with a stated goal and a heartfelt commitment to make Buffalo a better place must be rightly acknowledged. A Mayor's job is never easy and perhaps, never tougher than throughout the 12 years of the Masiello administration when the challenges of the leading a northeast urban center to a new century and in a new direction brought with it crushing financial conditions that never crushed the Mayors spirit. And so this grateful Congressman and city resident offers heartful thanks and best wishes to the Honorable Anthony M. Masiello as he concludes this chapter in a lifetime of public service and begins new challenges and opportunities. We send our deepest appreciation to his family, who also serves, as we thank his beautiful wife, personal and professional partner, Kate Maseillo, and their daughters, Ariel and Madeline. We also acknowledge the Mayor's newest title--grandfather--to Rose Elizabeth, the daughter of his daughter, Kim and husband, John Adamucci, and wish health and happiness as another grandchild is on its way. Perhaps the highest tribute we can pay to the 57th Mayor of the City of Buffalo is with his own words and so I will conclude my comments, by including those of Mayor Anthony M. Masiello--on the man who showed him by example to never walk away from the challenges of being Mayor--his father, Dan, who died earlier this year. ``My father worked two or three jobs at a time for many years to support seven children. He was a foreman for the city's sanitation department and then he would work 3- 11 p.m. at night unloading trucks for 10-15 years. Yet he never missed a day of work even when he was sick or tired. I remember seeing him so tired he could hardly stand up but he would go to see his second job not long after leaving his first. Some days I would think of my Dad as I was driving to City Hall so I would just pick myself up and keep going. This is a city worth fighting for and it was my privilege to fight for it for the last 12 years.'' Thank you Mayor Masiello for fighting for Buffalo, for bringing us together and bringing out the best in who we are and what we can be by continuing to work together. Thank you for leading us to a Better Buffalo.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and great pleasure to rise today to honor one of Western New York's premiere elected leaders, and someone who has given nearly twenty years of dedicated service to the residents and taxpayers of the town of Hamburg. I rise today to honor retiring Hamburg Town Supervisor Patrick H. Hoak. Pat Hoak's love for government service was sparked by the example of his father, the late State Senator Bertrand H. Hoak. Through the years, Pat has served Hamburg as a community leader, a sports and youth league coach, a teacher and a longtime businessman. In 1987, however, he assumed more official duties in the town as a member of the Town Board. First elected to the Town Board in 1987, Pat served as Councilman until his initial election as Town Supervisor in 1993. As Councilman, Pat put a great deal of focus on the expansion of recreational programs and facilities for town residents, including the expansion of the town's golf course. Starting in 1992 and for thirteen years afterward, Pat Hoak presided over one of the most efficiently-run town governments in New York State. As Supervisor, Pat's leadership resulted in the creation of nationally acclaimed programs for Senior Citizens. His administration resulted in an unprecedented level of cooperation between government and the private sector in quality of life issues, including combating drug addiction and family violence. Working with other dedicated town leaders, Pat helped turn the town of Hamburg into a model for town governments statewide, winning awards for fiscal responsibility and making Hamburg into a premiere suburban town for residents to live, work and raise a family. The Hoak family has been very blessed over the years, and the family has given much back to the community it loves so dearly. For his nearly twenty years of public service and his many decades of community service, the town of Hamburg is better for the contributions made to it by Pat Hoak. We thank him for his service to our community, and wish Pat and his family all the best of good luck and Godspeed in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a public official whose service as a member of the Boston Town Board has been honorable and whose dedication to his community has been steadfast. Today, I want to honor the service of Councilman Karl Simmeth. Karl Simmeth served as a member of the Boston Town Board while his town continued to see growth and expansion, as more Western New Yorkers choose to live in towns beyond the first ring of Erie County's suburbs. The town of Boston is well-known as a great place to live and raise a family, and it is so, in no small measure, because of the dedicated service of public officials like Karl. Karl took his work on the town board very seriously. Karl's areas of expertise included committees and other town board functions involving street lighting, the town's Conservation Advisory Council, drainage and solid waste, and the oversight of South Boston Park. In short, Karl worked to deal with issues important to local residents. Karl wears another hat in town, and that hat is political--he is Chairman of the town's Republican committee. Accordingly, when it comes to matters political, Karl and I were rarely on the same side of the fence. However, when it comes to his love for the town of Boston and for his work on its behalf, Karl always checked his politics at the door. His work was always professional and I am grateful to him for his advocacy on the town's behalf. Mr. Speaker, when all is said and done, a public servant wants to leave government in better shape than when he or she came in; that is certainly the case here. The town of Boston is a better place for Karl Simmeth's service, and I am pleased and appreciative to have had the opportunity to recognize him here today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a man whose years of service, both as a councilman, and for the last four years as Supervisor of the town of Concord, have served his town admirably. Today, I want to honor retiring Concord Town Supervisor Mark Steffan. Mark Steffan is someone who loved his town with every fiber of his being. A successful businessman, Mark was elected to the Concord Town Board and his recent service as Supervisor has come at a time when more people in Erie County and Western New York look to the town of Concord and its incorporated village of Springville as an outstanding place to live, work and raise a family. It is that way because of the dedicated service of public officials like Mark Steffan. Mark Steffan and his family are moving on with a planned move out of Western New York. I want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to commend Mark Steffan for his service to the residents and the taxpayers of the town of Concord, and remind him that local residents are better for the service he provided to town government.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lori Cornell, a resident of Chautauqua County for her quest to become the Chautauqua County Clerk. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Ms. Cornell traveled that path with her head held high and a smile on her face the entire way. I have no doubt that her kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of Chautauqua County. Lori is one of those people that leave a huge impact on her community. For many years, both as a candidate or as the District Director for Assemblyman Bill Parment, her efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but on its residents. Her face, voice, opinions and successes were and still are a staple in Chautauqua County. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work and issues that Ms. Cornell uncovered during her campaign. A true testimony to Lori can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives she touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. Her campaign was full of energy and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that good things are still to come from Lori, she is a truly dedicated and determined person. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Lori is one of those people and that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor her today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ken Lasker, a resident of Chautauqua County for his quest to become the Chautauqua County District Attorney. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Lasker traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of Chautauqua County. Ken is one of those people that leave a huge impact on his community. For many years, both as a candidate or as an attorney at the law firm, Burgett and Robbins, his efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but on its residents. His face, voice, opinions and successes were and still are a staple in Chautauqua County. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work and issues that Mr. Lasker uncovered during his campaign. A true testimony to Ken can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives he touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. His campaign was full of energy and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that good things are still to come from Ken, he is a truly dedicated and determined person. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Ken is one of those people and that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor him today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, on December 31, 2005, a dedicated public servant will end his years of service as a member of the Eden Town Board. That day will be the last day of Councilman Tim Walker's service, and I want to take a moment to commemorate his service here today. Tim Walker is a solid public official whose dedication both to his constituents as well as to the law is inspiring. With more than fifteen years of private sector legal experience, and after a stint as Eden Town Prosecutor, Tim Walker has concurrently served as a member of the Eden Town Board and as a member of that town's school board. Tim's service has been exemplary, as Eden has crept ever so slowly from its status as a very rural town to its status today, as a featured destination for many who seek to escape the hustle and bustle of city or first ring suburban life. Many people do this because Eden is a great place to live and raise a family; it is that way because of dedicated public servants like Tim Walker. Tim Walker leaves the Eden Town Board because he chose to run for judicial office. Though unsuccessful in that run, many local residents are hopeful that Tim will remain an active member of the local community, and indeed, there is no reason to assume that he will not. Tim Walker is a fine public servant, and I am proud to honor him here today. I want to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for offering me this opportunity to honor the public service of Tim Walker, and I hope that you will join me in offering to Mr. Walker the House's best wishes of good luck and Godspeed in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, for the past eight years, Chautauqua County government has been led by one of the singularly intelligent, committed and respected public officials in New York State. Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to honor Mark Thomas, whose service as Chautauqua County Executive will be concluded on December 31, 2005. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Thomas traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of Chautauqua County. Mark is the type of person who leaves a lasting impact on his community. For many years, as a candidate and as an elected leader, Mark's efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a permanent impression not only on the county itself but on its residents. His face, voice, opinions and successes were and still are a staple in Chautauqua County. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work and issues that Mr. Thomas uncovered during his campaign and during his tenure. A true testimony to Mark can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives he touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. His campaign was full of energy and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that good things are still to come from Mark; he is a truly dedicated and determined person. As a state legislator from 1998 to 2004, I knew Mark Thomas well. Quietly, without a lot of fanfare, Mark Thomas trudged the halls in Albany working diligently for the reform of the Medicaid program, which has threatened to cripple county governments throughout New York State. In 2004, New York State began what is hoped to be a long process of providing Medicaid relief to local governments. No elected leader in New York State is more responsible for that success than is Mark Thomas. I had the opportunity to get to know Mark even better in 2004, when we competed against one another in a primary election for the Democratic Party's nomination for this congressional seat. Throughout that campaign, I always said that if I couldn't win, I wanted Mark Thomas to win, because Mark is a true believer, someone who believes that government is in place to help people, and to help make one's area a better place to live, work and raise a family. During that campaign, I was consistently amazed at the level of respect that the people of Chautauqua County had for him. During my first year in Congress, Mark and I have worked together closely on a number of projects important to Chautauqua County, and my respect for him, his dear wife Elaine and his family only continues to grow. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank Mark Thomas. Mark has shown me the way in Chautauqua County, and I will forever be grateful to him for that gift. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Mark Thomas is one of those people and that is why I rise to honor him and his service to this community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 575, a resolution that renews our commitment to the security of the State of Israel. Israel has long been a friend and ally to the United States. As our two nations enter the 21st century, we must continue to work together against violence and terrorism and in support of peace. A crucial part of the peace process is the emergence of a democratic Palestinian Government that denounces and combats terrorism, and respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all of its neighbors, including Israel. This cannot happen if Hamas participates in the January 25, 2006 elections held by the Palestinian Authority, PA. H. Res. 575 would make it clear to PA President Abbas that Congress strongly disapproves of Hamas's inclusion in the elections and would have a difficult time working with the PA should Hamas delegates be elected. In December 2003, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israel would unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip; that evacuation was completed on August 23, 2005. Prime Minister Sharon has taken tremendous steps, and incurred great risk, to encourage peace through the disengagement plan. PA President Abbas, however, has not followed up on his role in disarming terrorist groups and helping to secure peace. Additionally, Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of Israel, wants to participate in Palestinian parliamentary elections. Hamas is directly responsible for over 200 attacks in Israel and the killing of American citizens. Hamas participation in PA elections violates existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements and undermines internationally supported efforts to establish a stable, democratic and non-violent Palestinian state. There is wide international precedent for democratic countries to ban extremist and violent political parties from participating in elections until they have disavowed such views or renounced violence. Under the road map peace plan, backed by the quartet--the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations--the PA is required to launch ``sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror'' and to begin the ``dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.'' Instead of taking such action, the PA has invited Hamas to participate in the elections with no requirement to disarm. This poses a direct threat to establishing a stable Palestinian state and a peaceful Middle East. Mr. Speaker, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said ``Hamas is a terror organization and it has to be disbanded, both for the sake of peace and security in the Middle East and for the sake of the proper functioning of the Palestinian Authority.'' I oppose Hamas's participation in the upcoming election as it would legitimize a known terror network. The PA leadership needs to disarm and gain control of Hamas and other terror networks. A party running on a platform calling for Israel's destruction is innately an advocate of violence. Further, a party that would use force for political leverage is a threat to the democratic process. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I will vote in favor of H. Res. 575 today and I urge my colleagues to join me in this front of the war on terror.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 1LT Christopher John Buscaglia of the 110th Mountain Division of the United States Army. A native of Western New York, Lieutenant Buscaglia exemplifies the character and good will of our community. Following his graduation from high school, Lieutenant Buscaglia stayed in Buffalo to attend Canisius College. There, he majored in history and excelled academically. Outside of the classroom, he played the French horn in the college band, was a talented photographer for the campus newspaper, and, for three consecutive summers, spent 2 weeks in Mexico City, running a day-camp for neighborhood kids. Walking through the halls of Canisius, Lieutenant Buscaglia looked like any other student. But if you saw him running down Main Street early in the morning before classes or spending his vacations in camouflage at Fort Drum, Lieutenant Buscaglia looked much different. In addition to all his academic and extra-curricular accomplishments, he spent his free time training to become an officer in the United States Army. After graduation in 2004, Lieutenant Buscaglia was commissioned and, for the last 5 months, has served with distinction as an intelligence officer and platoon leader in Iraq. Because of his dedication to duty, Lieutenant Buscaglia has recovered information that prevented numerous insurgent attacks and saved American lives. Appropriately, he has received outstanding ratings from senior officers and the respect of his fellow soldiers. Mr. Speaker, the debt we owe to our servicemen and women can never be fully repaid--they protect our shores, our families, and our democratic government. Lieutenant Buscaglia put his bright future on hold and volunteered to fight on our behalf. I thank him today for his dedication to the safety of all Americans and his willingness to serve our Nation.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tara Hall Viele, a resident of Chautauqua County for her service to the fourteenth legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Tara has had the opportunity to serve as a strong member of the legislature and an active member of the community. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Tara traveled that path with her head held high and a smile on her face the entire way. I have no doubt that her kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 14. Tara is one of those people that leave a huge impact on her community. For many years her efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but on its residents. Her face, voice, opinions and successes were a staple in the legislature. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work Tara did during her tenure. A true testimony to Tara can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives she touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. In the future Tara will continue to better Chautauqua County as she raises her two sons and provides a strong education to her students at Jefferson Middle School. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Tara is one of those people and that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor her today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Brown, a resident of Chautauqua County for his quest to become the elected representative to the nineteenth legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Although Mr. Brown was not able to realize his dream he has been able to make an impact on other's lives in a different way. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Brown traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 19. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong candidates with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Mr. Brown is one of those people and that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor him today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Brown, a resident of Chautauqua County for his quest to become the elected representative to the twenty-third legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Although Mr. Rizzo was not able to realize his dream he has been able to make an impact on other's lives in a different way. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Rizzo traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 23. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong candidates with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Mr. Rizzo is one of those people and that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor him today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lula Taylor, a resident of Chautauqua County for her service to the eleventh legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Ms. Taylor has had the opportunity to serve not only as a strong member of the legislature but to her community as a strong community activist. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Ms. Taylor traveled that path with her head held high and a smile on her face the entire way. I have no doubt that her kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 11. Lula is one of those people that leave a huge impact on her community. For many years her efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but in its residents. Her face, voice, opinions and successes were a staple in the legislature. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work Ms. Taylor did during her tenure. A true testimony to Ms. Taylor can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives she touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. Lula is one woman who never stops working for the things she believes in. She serves on the County Human Service Committee, Chautauqua County Board of Health, Chautauqua County Health Network Inc. Advisory Board, Office for the Aging Advisory Board, County Home Advisory Board, Safe House Committee, and is an AIDS Awareness Advocate. Her community activism is a true testament to her love of Chautauqua County. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Ms. Taylor is one of those people and that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor her today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Anthony Teresi, a resident of Chautauqua County for his service to the thirteenth legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Mr. Teresi has had the opportunity to serve not only as a strong member of the legislature but as chairman to subcommittees within. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Teresi traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 13. Anthony is one of those people that leave a huge impact on his community. For many years his efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but in its residents. His face, voice, opinions and successes were a staple in the legislature. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work Mr. Teresi did during his tenure. A true testimony to Mr. Teresi can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives he touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Mr. Teresi is one of those people and that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor him today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jane Fagerstrom, a resident of Chautauqua County for her service to the twelfth legislative district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. Jane has had the opportunity to serve as a strong member of the legislature and an active member of the community. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Ms. Fagerstrom traveled that path with her head held high and a smile on her face the entire way. I have no doubt that her kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the voters of district 12. Jane is one of those people that leave a huge impact on her community. For many years her efforts to better Chautauqua County have left a lasting impression not only on the county itself but on its residents. Her face, voice, opinions and successes were a staple in the legislature. Our county and our residents are better for the undying work Ms. Fagerstrom did during her tenure. A true testimony to Jane can be found in many areas of the county and in many people whose lives she touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Jane is one of those people and that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor her today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Vivian Taylor, a resident of Chautauqua County for his service to the people of Jamestown as a member of the Jamestown City Council. Vivian has had the opportunity to serve as a strong member of the council and an active member of the community for many years. The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. Any person with a dream may enter but only a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Taylor traveled that path with his head held high and a smile on his face the entire way. I have no doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting impression on the people of Jamestown. Vivian is one of those people that leave a huge impact on his community. For many years his efforts to better Jamestown have left a lasting impression not only on the city itself but on its residents. His face, voice, opinions and successes were a staple in the council. Our city and our residents are better for the undying work Mr. Taylor did during his tenure. A true testimony to Vivian can be found in many areas of the county and in the many people whose lives he touched. One doesn't have to look far to see what a strong work ethic can do. What a true honor it must have been to pass the torch along to his grandson, Michael Taylor, as he ascended into the council. The Taylor family legacy is one to be respected and I'm sure it will continue for years to come. Chautauqua County is blessed to have such strong individuals with a desire to make this county the wonderful place that we all know it can be. Vivian is one of those people and that is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor him today.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of a dedicated elected official from the Town of Elma, Bill Cirocco. Now, Mr. Speaker, I like most of my colleagues represent a large number of different communities. All told, I represent all or part of 19 towns and 2 cities in Erie County, as well as 27 towns and 2 cities in Chautauqua County. But Elma is a very important town in my district it's where my parents live. It's that closeness that I have to Elma that leads me to commemorate Bill's service to Elma. As a public official, Bill always had the best interests of his constituents--his neighbors--first in his mind. As time went on, and as battles were waged in town about this issue or that, Bill Cirocco always looked at each issue individually and kept the residents and taxpayers first in his mind. Now, as Bill contemplates retirement from elective office, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his dedicated service to Elma, and to the people who live, work and raise their families there. Elma is a better place for his service to the town, and I want to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me this opportunity to honor Bill's service.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my opposition to the irresponsible tax reconciliation bill the House passed earlier today. I strongly support tax relief, but I oppose this bill because it does not target tax relief to middle class families, because it is paid for by slashing health care and education programs and because it will needlessly increase our national debt. Mr. Speaker, this tax bill is the second half of a misguided budget reconciliation package that raids the wallets of my Western New York constituents and gives their money to those making over a million dollars. The first half of the budget reconciliation occurred last month, when the Majority passed a series of devastating spending cuts to health and education programs in order to free up funding for these tax cuts. That means that these tax cuts are paid for by cutting $11 billion from Medicaid at a time when over 45 million Americans are without health insurance. They are paid for by throwing 300,000 people off food stamps when hunger in this country is on the rise. They are paid for by slashing $14 billion from student loan programs when the cost of college tuition is skyrocketing. And they are paid for by cutting child support enforcement and foster care programs. Mr. Speaker, the tax reconciliation bill is paid for out of the pockets of the middle class, yet working families receive little of its benefits. If this bill were a serious attempt to provide real tax relief to the middle class it would include an extension of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) fix. The AMT fix is set to expire at the end of the year, and without an extension taxes will increase on the 17 million middle class families who will be snared by the AMT. Yet this legislation does not include AMT relief. Instead, the centerpiece of this bill is a reduction of tax rates for capital gains and corporate dividends. Mr. Speaker, taxing investment income at a lower rate than earned income is rewarding wealth, not work. A fairer bill would have reduced taxes on the paychecks of the middle class working families who most need and deserve it. Mr. Speaker, not only does this reconciliation package slash programs for working families and fail to target tax relief at the middle class, but it does nothing at all to reduce the federal budget deficit or the national debt. In fact, this package increases the deficit because it reduces spending by $50 billion and cuts taxes by $56 billion. In other words, this so-called ``deficit reduction'' package actually increases the deficit to the tune of $6 billion! Maybe this fiscal approach explains why the Chairman of the President's own Commission on Tax Reform said recently that he was not worried by tax policies that increase the national debt because we can always borrow some more from China. But I refuse to pass this bill and saddle the elementary school children in Jamestown and Buffalo with that debt. Mr. Speaker, I support tax cuts. I supported the AMT stand-alone bill because the bulk of that relief goes to middle class families, and I will continue to support tax cuts for working Americans. I am not philosophically opposed to tax cuts for upper income Americans. But there is a proper time for everything, and at this juncture--when we are running record budget deficits, when we are funding our troops in Iraq, and when we are incurring huge costs to recover from Hurricane Katrina--at this juncture, we cannot cut taxes to the rich and increase the burden on the middle class. Buffalo won't hear it and neither will I.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Jeffrey Conrad, a great son of South Buffalo, New York, who will complete his service as a member of the Buffalo Common Council on December 31, 2005. Now, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Buffalo Common Council, I know of what I speak. Having served as a member of that body in the same seat as Mr. Conrad from 1988 to 1993, I know and understand the position of district councilmember in the city of Buffalo. In that job, Mr. Speaker, you are never presented with good news; you are only presented with crumbling sidewalks and broken streetlights, with poorly paved roads and neighbors complaining about nearby lots that need mowing. In short, Mr. Speaker, this job is one of the toughest in local government. Jeff Conrad handled that job with dignity and aplomb, and I am pleased to honor his service here today. Jeff Conrad is a bright young leader in South Buffalo. While his first run for public office was unsuccessful, Jeff is a solid individual from a great South Buffalo family, and he has a very bright future full of promise in months and years to come. While Jeff Conrad served only a few short months as a member of the Buffalo Common Council, his commitment to the neighborhoods we live in and the people who inhabit them can never be overstated. Jeff's service to his constituents was effective and honorable, and I look forward to future opportunities to work with him to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of a dedicated elected official from the town of Evans who has served with distinction as a member of his Town Board. I am speaking of retiring Evans Town Councilman Tom Csati. Tom Csati is a strong leader who worked hard to get things done in Evans and Angola. A member of the Town Board for 8 years, Tom Csati is a public servant who always put people first. The town of Evans and its residents are better for the service he provided, and I am proud to honor his service here today.