Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a longtime leader in the field of aviation--the late John J. Nalbone Sr. Mr. Nalbone dedicated his life to the field of aviation and was tireless in his efforts to make the skies accessible to many of his friends, family and neighbors in his hometown of Dunkirk, NY. Mr. Nalbone was fascinated with flying since boyhood, and shortly after graduating from Jamestown High School he went off to Leroy, NY where he was chosen to undergo early government training in the field of modern aviation. This training became essential part of America's defense system as the United States entered World War II in 1941. At this time John was assigned to the 54th Flight Training attachment at Dorr Field in Acadia, FL where he was the primary instructor for Sherman Biplanes until the end of the war. After the war, John and his wife relocated back to Western New York, where he became a civilian flight instructor and was able to open his own flight school at Werle Field, a small grass strip equipped only with runway lights. John soon realized that through instruction, pilot exams, and rebuilding of aircrafts he could continue to pursue his love for flying while providing a modest lifestyle for himself and his family. By 1960, Mr. Nalbone became the manager of the Dunkirk Airport while still maintaining his own airfield, instruction school and building several of his own aircraft including a Steen Skybolt, and a Grumman Tiger which he flew into his mid 80's. During his lifetime, John was the recipient of numerous aviation awards including the FAA's Lifetime Achievement Award in both 1996, and 2003. Mr. Nalbone was also awarded the prestigious Charles Taylor Mechanics Award, which is presented to aviators with 50 or more years of service in the aviation industry. Mr. Nalbone passed away at the age of 93. He is survived by his three children and six grandchildren. Clearly, Mr. Nalbone passed his love of aviation along to his family. I have dealt very often with his son Lou, who currently serves as President of Dunkirk Aviation, and who remains Chautauqua County's most tireless advocate for aviation in New York's Southern Tier. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask you and our colleagues to extend the sympathies of the House to the family of John J. Nalbone Sr., to recognize his contributions to our military and to his community, and for his commitment to the United States of America, and to Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues and call their attention to a report issued last week by Transportation for America. The report identified 99 bridges in western New York, 2,000 bridges in New York State and 63,000 bridges nationwide as structurally deficient. This should not surprise us. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our infrastructure a D grade and the World Economic Forum ranks the United States 23rd in infrastructure quality. Our infrastructure is suffering from a crippling lack of investment and our country is falling behind because of it. Mr. Speaker, the United States has spent over $62 billion nation- building in Iraq. It is time to do some nation-building right here at home. There is work that needs to be done, and a lot of Americans need the work. So I implore this House, pass a jobs bill that includes $60 billion for infrastructure, pass a 6-year transportation bill, use innovative ideas like the infrastructure bank to create public-private partnerships and do it now. Given the state of our infrastructure and our economy, we can't afford to wait.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to cuts in the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP as it is known in New York. With snow in Buffalo forecast this week, it seems unconscionable to slash this essential aid that helps seniors afford their heating bills. However, the House Labor-HHS bill would do just that. It cuts HEAP and changes the formula in a way that penalizes New York and other cold- weather States. New York's allocation would be cut by $179 million, or 34 percent, from its current levels. As a result, HEAP assistance will be smaller, later, and benefit fewer New Yorkers. At a time when western New York heating prices are expected to increase, these cuts would force seniors and families to choose between heating their homes, putting food on the table, or purchasing prescription drugs. I urge Congress to reject these cuts which threaten to leave many of the 235,000 HEAP recipients in Erie and Chautauqua counties out in the cold.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise today to congratulate Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D on receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The award is the highest honor bestowed to an individual for lifetime of exemplary service and achievement in the specialty of anesthesiology. As the 65th recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in the organizations' one-hundred plus year history, Dr. Lema joins an illustrious group of awardees that includes the founders of anesthesiology, and pioneers in the field. Dr. Lema is currently Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. He also serves as Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, as well as a board member on the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER). He has also served as president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (2007), the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (2004) and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (2001). He is currently President of the Medical Society of the County of Erie. Dr. Lema received his PhD in physiology from University at Buffalo and his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Throughout his prominent career Dr. Lema has been recognized as one of the country's authorities in the field of anesthesiology. He has served Western New York community with nearly thirty years of service and achievement in scientific research and organized medicine. Mr. Speaker it is with great pride I recognize Dr. Mark Lema for receiving the Distinguished Service Award and extend my thanks for his countless contributions to the Western New York community in which he calls home.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Dr. Herbert Hauptman, a distinguished member of our western New York community. Dr. Hauptman came to Buffalo in 1970 to work for the Medical Foundation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1985 in his work determining the molecular structures of crystallized materials. His studies in this area provided a new way to look at chemistry that benefits science and society today. After earning the Nobel Prize, the Medical Foundation was renamed in his honor. Today, the lobby of the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute showcases the crystallized molecular structures Hauptman introduced to the world. They will stand as a lasting testimony to his work. Herbert Hauptman's contributions helped lay the groundwork for the thriving and growing medical research community in Buffalo in western New York. I invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of a scholar whose impact was felt far beyond academia.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration that I recognize Caroline Degnan for outstanding service to her community. Throughout her years at the South Buffalo Food Pantry, Mrs. Degnan personified caring and compassion as she selflessly placed the needs of others before her own. Mrs. Degnan spent more than twenty years as a volunteer for the South Buffalo Food Pantry as well as overseeing the Lovejoy Food Pantry for several years. In March of 2006, she was nominated by the local branch of Catholic Charities for the organization's national Volunteer of the Year Award. Despite great personal loss and physical setbacks due to multiple illnesses, Caroline's continues to persevere with spirit and faith. In recognition of that perseverance and to give thanks for her countless hours of providing food and friendship to those in need, her family and friends gathered together to honor this special woman on October 15th at St. Agatha's McGuire Hall in South Buffalo, New York. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and pride that I acknowledge the example set by Caroline Degnan and join with a grateful community to extend our deepest appreciation for her exceptional service and generous heart that fuels the betterment of the lives she has touched.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are one of America's most overlooked and underappreciated resources. They are the largest source of surface freshwater in the world, providing more than 30 million people with drinking water and supporting a multibillion dollar boating, shipping, fishing, and recreation economy. The Great Lakes fishery alone generates $7 billion in economic activity and directly supports 75,000 jobs. Yet the lakes are threatened by toxic algal blooms that are fueled by agriculture runoff, sewer overflows, and other pollution. Lake Erie, in particular, as the shallowest of the lakes, is exceptionally vulnerable to excess nutrients and phosphorus. According to a recent report by the National Wildlife Federation, this summer, Lake Erie saw the most severe algal blooms since the 1960s. Madam Speaker, the Brookings Institution reports that every dollar invested in Great Lakes restoration results in a $2 return in the form of increased fishing, tourism, and home values. This program is cost-effective, and I urge Congress to reject cuts to Great Lakes restoration.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 65th National Preservation Conference, which will be held in my community of western New York next week. Over 2,000 people from across the country and around the world will converge in Buffalo to be immersed in our considerable and remarkable architecture. What makes this conference unique is that our community's historic preservation assets are the very reason the conference is being held there. The centerpiece will be the numerous buildings, homes, parks, and neighborhoods that were remarkable upon their construction and will help grow us in the future. This conference will provide international validation to what many in western New York have long known and understood: that our ability to thrive lies in recapturing the potential of what we have built in the past. And we are doing just that. Buffalo is home to the Nation's first park and parkway system, designed in the 19th century by the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The 1,200-acre parklands are some of the very best in the world. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is leading a multimillion dollar effort to restore the parks so western New Yorkers can visit and appreciate and enjoy them for decades to come. Meanwhile, we are meticulously restoring buildings integral to our architectural legacy. These include the Darwin Martin House and Graycliff Estate by Frank Lloyd Wright; the Guaranty Building by Louis Sullivan; the Buffalo Psychiatric Center by Henry Hobson Richardson; and the Hotel Lafayette by one of America's first female architects, Louise Blanchard Bethune. These efforts are not just examples of historic preservation. They represent a new confidence that we can take charge of our own future by reclaiming our past. Mr. Speaker, historic preservation efforts in Buffalo and western New York also demonstrate the importance of partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector. Without these partnerships, many preservation projects would never get off the ground. Federal tools like the historic preservation tax credit and the new markets tax credit bring builders, investors, and development professionals together, and they have the capacity to turn around entire communities. In Buffalo, $64 million of new market tax credit investments have occurred since 2005. This investment has leveraged projects totaling over $141 million in our community. The new markets program has encouraged the redevelopment of the Oak School Lofts, Ellicott Commons, the Electric Tower, the Webb Lofts, Ashbury Hall, AM&A's Warehouse Lofts, 567 Exchange Street, the Larkin at Exchange complex, the Erie Lackawanna Train Station in Jamestown, and the Innovation Center at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. All of these projects involved either a restoration of a historic, vacant building, or new construction in an economically distressed area. I support legislation that would extend the new markets program and authorize it at $5 billion or more a year. And I support extending the historic preservation tax credit because I have seen in Buffalo how cost effective and successful these programs can be. Older industrial areas like Buffalo will be able to compete and succeed in a globalized economy if their leaders develop a culture of innovation and create new economic opportunities while taking advantage of the unique aspects of the past. Buffalo and western New York are ready to meet that challenge. I congratulate those who have led the effort to host this important conference, especially Bob Skerker and Catherine Schweitzer, and the hundreds of western New Yorkers who will make this conference a success. To the conference attendees and visitors from all around the world, I would say our community is honored to host you and proud to show off our unique architecture and historic assets. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great satisfaction that I report to the House today on the agreement reached between the Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers and its positive impact on the Nation and in western New York. Under the agreement, Ford will increase its workforce at its plant in Hamburg, New York. Not only will they offer to rehire 120 workers who were laid off earlier this year, they will create 400 new jobs and create a $136 million investment in the facility. This is a substantial and generational commitment. How did this happen? It was the recognition that western New York has a highly skilled and dependable workforce, with a long history of labor and management working together in cooperation. It is also the result of labor and management working diligently to get a deal done. Their goal was business growth and job creation, and they accomplished it without the brinksmanship and manufactured crises that have become far too common in Washington this year. Perhaps Congress can learn from Ford and the UAW that when two sides sit down at the table and bargain in good faith toward a common good, the end can be more satisfying, resulting in new business investment and job growth.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. I come before the House today, Mr. Speaker, to call for the immediate implementation of the pending aviation safety rule on preventing pilot fatigue. In February of 2009, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in my community of western New York. The investigation of the crash brought to light serious deficiencies in Federal aviation safety standards, including our rules to prevent pilot fatigue. In response, Congress unanimously passed legislation to reform these rules. Yet despite broad congressional support, implementation of the pilot fatigue rule is more than 2 months overdue. Yesterday, 102 of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the administration urging the quick implementation of these reforms. Mr. Speaker, the old policies still in place do not adequately prevent fatigue or sufficiently protect the traveling public. We must implement the overdue pilot fatigue rule. While we delay, the traveling public continues to take to the skies bearing unnecessary risks.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the death of United States Army veteran Mr. Norman W. Green. Mr. Green served in the Army during the Korean War with the 187th Air-borne Regimental Combat Team. He participated in the regimental parachute assault on Sukchon, North Korea, during the 1950 Battle of Pakchon. Mr. Green was later wounded and received a Purple Heart. Mr. Green was devoted to his local communities, first in Cleveland, OH, as a union painter and later in Dunkirk, NY, as a local business owner and entrepreneur. Mr. Green was also a family man. He leaves behind a widow, Mrs. Ruth Gestwicki Green, two children, a daughter Nancy and a son Norman. Also surviving are three grandchildren. It is with great pride that I rise today to remember Mr. Norman W. Green, a veteran of our Nation's armed forces and a proud member of this wonderful community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Republic of China on its 100th Anniversary, which will take place on October 10th of this year. I am proud to celebrate this tremendous milestone for Taiwan, not only because of the state's strong relationship with the United States, but as an example worldwide of the power of democracy to improve the quality of life for all citizens and create a healthy and diverse economy. Indeed Taiwan was established to reflect the principles of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a man who had a vision for a democratic Chinese state inspired by American ideals of freedom of expression, representative government, and an independent judiciary. The promotion of these ideals is never easy, and the promotion of democracy in Taiwan has been a long process to be sure, yet the principles established by Dr. Sun remain a hallmark of Taiwan today. And just as Taiwan was an early Asian backer of democratic principles and ideals, the ROC government--on Taiwan since 1949--was also an early adapter and proponent of market reforms and economic liberalization that define the modern global economy. Taiwan has seen a meteoric rise ever since, is a force in the global technology sector, and the island's economy is one of the largest in Asia and in the top tier of the developed world. I want to again congratulate Taiwan on this most auspicious anniversary, and I look forward to continuing the strong and deep relationship between Taiwan and the United States.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Margaret Griffin, wife of the late former Mayor of the City of Buffalo, James D. Griffin. Mrs. Griffin was born in the early 1930s and grew up in a large Irish family in the South Buffalo neighborhood of the Old First Ward. Margaret married James Griffin in 1968 and the couple had three children together Maureen, Megan and Thomas. Margaret served as Buffalo's first lady for 16 years from 1978-1994, and was considered the mayor's most trusted ally. Margaret preferred to stay out of the public spotlight and let her husband make the headlines during his time in office, but she always remained influential in her husband's decision making as they worked together to enhance the lives of the citizens of Buffalo, NY. While her husband led the City through tumultuous years, Margaret was described by her children as ``the backbone'' of their family as she set as example of strength and poise to her children as they grew up in the political spotlight. Margaret's children recall how she and her husband made a great couple, loved each other very much, and loved to laugh and reminisce with friends. Later in her life, Margaret became ``Nana Margie'' and displayed the same love for her grandchildren as she did for the rest of her family. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in remembering Margaret Griffin, a truly remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and servant of the City of Buffalo and its citizens. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mrs. Margaret Griffin, to her children Maureen and John Tomczak, Megan and Thomas and Colleen Griffin, to her grandchildren and surviving family and friends. Mrs. Griffin earned the respect of many and although words cannot truly express the kind and fun-loving woman that Margie was, it is my hope that the memories and stories of Mrs. Griffin can serve as a lasting tribute to her life and service to so many families throughout our great city, Buffalo, New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, in today's time of challenging budgets and fiscal uncertainty, at a time when the long term success of the United States Postal Service hangs in the balance, it is altogether fitting and proper that we recognize the dedicated public servants who have populated the rank and file membership of the Postal Service in Western New York. The role of a letter carrier remains among the most fundamental in American society. It remains an amazing feat that a letter dropped into a mailbox in Buffalo, New York will shortly arrive at its destination, be it across town or across the country. Letter carriers face a wide array of complications, obstacles, hazards and other challenges as they complete their daily routes. Citizens across the United States open their mailboxes and routinely retrieve their mail, seldom stopping to reflect upon the work performed by letter carriers each day. Beyond their professional responsibilities, Letter Carriers are integral members of our community as well. While Letter Carriers participate in dozens of charitable events throughout the year, they are particularly effective in the annual ``Stamp Out Hunger'' food drive, where millions of pounds of nonperishable food items are delivered to community food banks throughout the United States. I'm proud to add that the Buffalo region was the first to undertake this effort, and our region routinely leads the nation in tons of food collected for this annual event. On Saturday, September 24th, Branch 3 of the National Association of Letter Carriers, representing Buffalo and Western New York, will hold its annual ``Old Timers' Night.'' This event will pay tribute to the careers of eleven letter carriers, each having more than 50 years of service. Scheduled to be honored are the following members with 55 years of service: Chester Gawel, Richard Miller, Albert Schattner, Chester Stuben, and John Zelli. Those with 50 years of service who are to be honored include: Richard Bailoni, Edward Dudkowski, Robert Hibbard, Salvatore Iannello, Joseph Sikorski, and John Tutaro. In addition, Life Members (past honorees with more than 50 years' service) will also be on hand for the event. They include: Florian Chmurzynski, Robert Connors, Frederick Diringer, Ronald Dubois, Norman Gast, Edward Jarnot, Kenneth Kreger, Albert Martin, Guy Merritt, James Mooney, Robert Ohlenschlager, and Thomas Trotta. The inscription at New York City's James Farley Post Office reads, ``Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'' I am pleased to join with Branch 3 of the National Association of Letter Carriers to honor these fine public servants, and to wish to them good luck and Godspeed in the months and years to come.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, we each talk in this Chamber about jobs. The good news is legislation that will create jobs has already been introduced. Now we have to pass it. The American Jobs Act includes $50 billion to repair our aging infrastructure. It would create 3,100 jobs in western New York, alone, rebuilding our roads and bridges, which will encourage private development and even further job creation. Economists have concluded that this bill will create 2 million jobs and keep the U.S. from sliding back into recession. Also, Madam Speaker, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing, 2.8 million jobs have been lost over the last decade as a result of our trade deficit with China, including 22,000 jobs in western New York, alone. American workers can compete with anyone so long as there is a level playing field, but China is fixing the game through currency manipulation. The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act would put a stop to that. The time is long past due for this Congress to pass legislation that will create jobs. I urge the House to take up the American Jobs Act and the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act immediately.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 we lost a good and honorable citizen and someone I considered a friend. Mr. Paul William Beltz of Buffalo, New York and North Palm Beach, Florida died at the age of 85 years old in his home in Buffalo surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Beltz was one of Buffalo's leading trial attorneys and founder of the law firm that bears his name. He personified all that is honest, all that is good in the legal profession and built a firm that embodied Mr. Beltz's honorable reputation, his steadfast determination, unmatched work ethic and a firm that believed in family and commitment to one's family. Mr. Beltz lived his life, and instilled in the lives of his children and grandchildren, that if you work hard, love your family and your country and give back to your community, you will have truly lived. We are grateful to Mr. Beltz who served our nation during World War II with the Army in the Pacific. Mr. Beltz graduated from St. Bonaventure University and Cornell Law School and received numerous recognitions for his contributions to Education and Law. In 2001, Mr. Beltz was named Lawyer of the Year by the Erie County Bar Association. In 2005, Mr. Paul William Beltz received the Gaudete Medal, from St. Bonaventure University which recognizes business and community leaders for service in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Paul William Beltz, to his wife Catherine, his children Anne and Phil Rimmler, Margaret and Bill Gellatly, Kate and Steve Foley, John and Katherine Beltz, Mary Elizabeth and Naill Falls, and Sara and Mario Rodriguez and to his sixteen grandchildren, as well as his surviving family and friends. It was evident from the first time I met Mr. Beltz that he was a kind and generous man who had earned the respect of many. Although words cannot truly express the man that Paul William Beltz was, it is my hope that the memories and stories of Mr. Beltz can serve as a lasting tribute to his life, his service, and his impressive career. I will remember Mr. Beltz for his generous spirit, for his hard work on behalf of so many working men and women in our community and for the impact he had on so many families throughout Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to come before this body today to celebrate the end of the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. For too long, American service men and women selflessly fought to protect our freedoms without receiving the same freedoms and protections in return. Under this flawed policy, we dismissed 14,000 patriots from our forces, and we turned away countless more Americans who simply wanted to volunteer to defend the country that we share. Today our Nation shows the world that we can rise above prejudice and fear and take a long overdue step towards protecting our servicemembers and reducing discrimination in America. But I am sad to say that this weekend, we received a terrible reminder that our work is not done. A 14-year-old boy from my community who was teased by his classmates about his sexual orientation took his own life. This heartbreaking tragedy was needless and should be a reminder to all of us that there are many more like Jamey Rodemeyer who are made by some to believe that it's not okay to be who they are. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of how far we've come, but I know that there remains a long road ahead of us. I am committed to continuing this fight for full equality for all Americans and implore my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to honor J. Conrad (JC) Seneca upon the occasion of the opening of his new restaurant, the Armor Inn Tap Room, in Western New York. An entrepreneur with a diversified portfolio of business interests, JC recently purchased the former Hoak's Armor Inn, located in the town of Hamburg. That establishment has undergone a tremendous rehabilitation, and will feature upscale dining in an historical atmosphere. Located where it is, it is certain to draw the attention of Buffalo Bills fans, tourists and the local community. None of this comes as much of a surprise, however, because JC has been a substantial member of our community throughout his life. A native of the Cattaraugus Reservation in Irving, JC was a multi-sport star athlete while at Silver Creek High School. After graduation, JC served with honor and distinction with the United States Air Force, eventually studying at Bryant and Stratton and at Buffalo State College. After a stint as a radio disc jockey, JC became incredibly active within the Seneca Nation and on behalf of Native Americans throughout the United States. JC currently serves as a Seneca Tribal Councilor, and has served in a number of business and government capacities on behalf of his nation. JC was a member of President-elect Bill Clinton's Transition Team and has led efforts to ensure cooperative working relationships between other governments and the Seneca people. You know, Mr. Speaker, we all are a product of our upbringing, and JC is no different. JC's father, William Seneca, an ironworker and World War II Marine veteran, served honorably as President of the Seneca Nation, and later served as Special Liaison Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. JC's mom practiced nursing, and was later elected Clerk of the Seneca Nation. Without question, JC's parents served as a strong example for the value of public service and instilled in him a dedication to make contributions back to his own community. As a result, all of those who comprise all of his communities--on a large or small scale--are better for the contributions he continues to make. JC's new enterprise will add dozens of additional names to the list of employees--native and non-native--for whom he has helped create jobs in Western New York. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge you to join with me and with all Western New Yorkers in wishing the very best of luck to JC Seneca upon the opening of the new Armor Inn Tap Room, and to thank JC and his family for the many significant contributions that they make to life here in Western New York.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record a eulogy I delivered for the memorial tribute and ceremony of James T. Molloy, who served as the Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives. Memorial Tribute to James T. Molloy Roseann, Amy, members of the Molloy, Straub and Hayden families. Honorable Members of Congress, past and present, distinguished guests and friends of Jim Molloy. To Congressman Jim Stanton, thank you for many years' of friendship to Jim Molloy and organizing this celebration of his life. Jim Molloy served as Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives for more than two decades. He served under four House Speakers, five U.S. Presidents and thousands of Members of Congress. He introduced and hosted Heads of State, foreign dignitaries and organized more than 71 joint sessions of Congress. In this, the nation's capitol, a city that Jim Molloy loved and called his second home for more than 40 years, not a more decent, giving and gentle man lived or could be found. He was referred to in many ways here: The Honorable Doorkeeper, James T. Molloy, J.T. Molloy and, as his great friend Speaker Tip O'Neill was often heard saying in a slightly agitated voice, ``Molloy get in here!'' There was the time that the Dalai Lama came to Congress to have a personal audience with Speaker O'Neill. The Speaker was delayed and Jim was dispatched to entertain His Holiness until the Speaker arrived. Jim nervously tried to make conversation but the Dalia Lama sat silently, smiling. After a couple of minutes of awkward silence, the Dalai Lama pointed to Jim's wrist and commented on the beautiful watch Jim was wearing. Jim removed the watch and tried to give it to the him. The Dalai Lama humbly declined. Jim persevered insisting that he take the watch as a gift. Holding the watch closer to the Dalai Lama, Jim said it was a cheap credit union watch that only cost $14, please take it. At that moment, the Speaker walked in the room and said to an aide, ``I leave Molloy with the Dalai Lama for 5 minutes and he's begging the man to buy his watch.'' While it is his love of the institution and that bellowing voice from the back of the House Chamber to announce the arrival of the President of the United States that we remember. It is his larger than life personality, generous spirit, self deprecating humor and loyalty to his beloved South Buffalo that we will miss. Jim Molloy was a favorite son of South Buffalo. He was the middle child of Matthew and Catherine Molloy. And along with them and his two sisters, Kathy and Janet, grew up at Bloomfield Avenue in Holy Family Parish. Jim was a Buffalo city school teacher, he worked as a grain scooper along the waterfront, was a second generation Buffalo firefighter and served as 2nd Zone democratic chairman at the age of 27, the youngest zone chairman in New York State. As Doorkeeper he administered an annual budget of more than $9 million and supervised more than 400 employees. Jim served as Chairman of the Congressional Federal Credit Union for 36 years. He recruited the best young minds from the nation's most prestigious educational institutions to start their careers right here in the nation's capital, among them: Holy Family and St. Theresa's grammar schools and South Park, Mount Mercy and Bishop Timon High schools. If you came from these schools and your father was a Buffalo Firefighter and had a second front as a grain scooper you received even more special attention and consideration. Someone once said: you know Jim, next to Mercy Hospital on Abbott Road, you might just be the largest employer of South Buffalo people. To which Jim responded, ``How many people work at Mercy!'' Jim Molloy's door was never reserved exclusively for the high and mighty, for Kings and Queens. It was a door open to all, through which people of every walk of life could enter the greatest democratic institution, in the greatest nation, in the only world we know. Yes Jim Molloy played gracious host to Presidents and world leaders because he was required to. But he played host to the sons and daughters of union bricklayers and city firemen because he could and wanted to. I was one of those kids. My Dad was a union bricklayer and local politician. He and Jim grew up on Bloomfield Avenue, my Dad at 74, Jim at 106. They attended Holy Family grammar school together and were steeped in the deep tradition of South Buffalo politics. My dad died of Alzheimer's three years ago. It's a tough disease whose origins are unknown but whose end is certain. But one of the last things my Dad worked for and remembered fully was watching his son sworn in as a Member of the United States Congress. I tell you this because it's really not my story. It's his and his family's and it's the story of my community, and it's Jim Molloy's as well. And the simple idea that one generation makes sacrifices to make way, to open doors, if you will, for the next. Jim Molloy was with us that day and I was honored to have him celebrating that achievement with my family and friends. Someone there commented that I was the first South Buffalo representative in Congress. I really wasn't though. Jim Molloy will always be the first and greatest Congressional representative Buffalo ever had, and it is through the door that he kept that that opportunity was possible for someone else. After 34 doorkeepers of the House of Representatives and a tradition dating back to 1789, the new Speaker in 1994 was forced to abolish the position of doorkeeper. I say forced because he knew Jim Molloy could never be replaced. In a 2005 interview with Tim Russet for NPR's oral history project, Story Corps, Tim and Jim shared recollections of childhood memories in South Buffalo. Tim concluded the interview by saying that the best way to describe Jim was as a good man, who knew everybody, and who was always proud of taking care of his own. That is Jim Molloy's legacy. That is how he lived his life and that life, in all its goodness and graciousness, has made all of us better. That is how Jim's friends in Washington, South Buffalo, and across the nation will remember him: as a good man, who knew everybody, and who was always proud of taking care of his own. So today we express gratitude for many things. I give thanks to you and for the opportunity and Honor to be here this morning. We give thanks to Jim Molloy for the life that he lived, and friendship that he gave, and only for the people of the country and the community that he loved. And finally we give thanks for a good and generous nation. A good and generous nation that makes Jim Molloy's and all of our stories possible.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of S&W Contracting, a successful local business, which recently landed at No. 47 on this year's Fortune Magazine Inner City 100, a list of the country's 100 fastest-growing inner city businesses. Shandra Spicer, the company's president and CEO was recognized last year during Minority Enterprise Development Week as Minority Small Business Person of the Year for the Small Business Association's Buffalo District and Region II, including New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. S&W Contracting of Western New York was founded in 1999 by Shandra Spicer and her parents. They began as a small company that cleaned and painted units in Buffalo's Old First Ward area apartment complexes. About one decade later S&W had grown into a general construction contractor and commercial janitorial services company with 27 employees and revenue of 1.7 million. The company saw profits of $2.1 million in 2010. At age 22, Shandra Spicer became the CEO and President of S&W Contracting, a testament to her maturity and strong business sense at a young age. In twelve years of business, S&W Contracting has secured some choice construction contracts, including work for Erie County Buffalo Public Schools and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Shandra Spicer graduated from the University at Buffalo all State Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs program and LPCiminelli's Emerging Contractor Mentor Program; she regularly attends workshops at the Women's Business Center at Canisius College. Ms. Spicer advises other contractors to invest in their infrastructure, understand developers and their mission, and build relationships. S&W has clearly built relationships and put in the hard work necessary to secure contracts based on merit, a valuable message for any local business in today's economy. It is with great pride that I stand today to recognize the achievements of S&W Contracting, under the leadership of Shandra Spicer, an inspiration to our community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, on August 3 the United States will have $306 billion in obligations and $173 billion to address those obligations. At that moment, if the debt ceiling is not raised, our Nation for the first time in its history will default on its obligations. The cost of borrowing for small business, home mortgages, student and auto loans will all increase. This will hit hard every American and could push this economy into another recession. The American people want a serious and balanced approach to avoid disaster and deal with our Nation's debt problem. They want Congress to work in a bipartisan way to create jobs and new business investment. The House Republicans' short-term bill does nothing to create economic certainty necessary for sustained economic growth. Instead, it will keep the threat of default alive for months as a continuing drag on this economy. We need a real long-term bill to provide economic stability and certainty. We need a balanced bill that protects Social Security and Medicare, and we need a bipartisan bill we can pass quickly to prevent default.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the memory of James T. Molloy. Many in Washington knew Jim as the former, and last, doorkeeper of the House of Representatives. Western New Yorkers know Jim as a proud third-generation Irish American and career public servant. Jim was born on June 3, 1936. He was raised in South Buffalo and paid his way through Canisius College. He developed his strong work ethic in the grain elevators on the waterfront and as a member of the city's fire department. He also worked as a schoolteacher for the city of Buffalo and the city of Lackawanna. Jim came to Washington, D.C., in 1968 at the invitation of Congressman John Rooney. He managed the House Finance Office until 1974 when he was elected doorkeeper of the House. He held this position until it was eliminated in 1995. As the last doorkeeper of the House, Jim was a member of an elite group. Only 34 people have served in this position in our 215-year history. He oversaw more than 400 employees and administered a budget of $6.8 million. He introduced Presidents and heads of State and coordinated 71 Joint Sessions of Congress. Regrettably, I did not have the honor of serving in the House of Representatives during Jim's tenure, but he was a friend and an endless source of help and advice. I have long been inspired in my own service by his strong commitment to this institution. In fact, numerous western New Yorkers were inspired to consider political careers thanks to Jim Molloy. It was well known that Jim had a particular affection for helping western New Yorkers visiting the Capitol and young Buffalonians looking for work in our Nation's Capitol as well. Jim was recognized on numerous occasions for his service. He received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the New York State AFL-CIO, the President's Award from the New York State Federation of Police, and the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award. He received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Canisius College and was named Congressional Staffer of the Year by Roll Call. In 2005, I was a proud sponsor of legislation that was signed into law naming a post office on South Park Avenue in our shared neighborhood of South Buffalo after James T. Molloy. The loss of Jim Molloy will be felt for many years to come by all who knew him. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in honor of a servant of this institution, James T. Molloy.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of James T. ``Jimmy'' Molloy, former Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives. Jimmy was one of my district's finest citizens, a proud and favorite son of South Buffalo, New York and undoubtedly one of the greatest public servants in our Nation's Capitol for over 40 years. Jim's passing marked a sad day throughout Capitol Hill and throughout Jim's neighborhood, a loss that will be felt for years to come, yet his gracious spirit and world-class stories will be remembered by all those who were fortunate enough to call Jimmy Molloy a friend. James T. Molloy was born in South Buffalo on June 3, 1936, to Matthew Molloy and Katherine Hayden Molloy. Educated in Buffalo's Catholic schools, he followed his father's footsteps by working in the grain elevators of Buffalo's waterfront and fighting fires as a proud member of the Buffalo Fire Department. Through his labor, James T. Molloy paid his own way through Canisius College, a great Jesuit institution in Western New York, and became a lifelong friend of Western New York working families. He was a member of the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Longshoremen and International Association of Firefighters. After pursuing studies at St. John's University Law School, James T. Molloy worked as a schoolteacher in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna. He also worked in the office of Erie County District Attorney where he met his wife, Roseanne. Jim came to Washington in 1968 at the invitation of New York Congressman John Rooney. During his service in the House Finance Office, he oversaw the legislative appropriations for the House as they grew from $75 million to $126 million per year. James T. Molloy was elected doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives in 1974 and proudly remained in that post through the 103d Congress, serving as the primary aide to Speakers Carl Albert, Thomas ``Tip'' O'Neill, James Wright and Tom Foley. In fact, Jim was the last of 30 people to hold the position of doorkeeper from its establishment in 1789 to its elimination in 1995. Within this capacity, he introduced Presidents and numerous heads of state to our august body. He coordinated 71 joint sessions of Congress, as well as many other special events, within this Chamber. Jim also acted as a vital connection between his hometown, South Buffalo, New York, and Congress, inspiring countless men and women from the Buffalo area to consider careers in public service. Additionally, Jim served as chairman of the board on the Wright-Patman Congressional Credit Union, a position he held for 30 years. James T. Molloy was awarded numerous honors for his life's work in public service. He received the Outstanding Citizen Award for the New York State AFL-CIO, the President's Award from the New York State Federation of Police, the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association Outstanding Service, and the Sid Yudain Congressional Staffer of the Year Award from Roll Call. In July of 2005, I considered it a privilege and an honor to sponsor a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to name a South Buffalo Post Office in James T. Molloy's honor. This recognition was so well deserved and a lasting reminder of Jim's strong commitment to his neighborhood and our great Nation. I was deeply saddened upon learning of the passing of James T. Molloy. To pay respect to his legacy, I issued the following statement: ``For 20 years South Buffalo's own James T. Molloy served as the House of Representatives doorkeeper, a prestigious title held by only 34 people going back to 1789. As the individual with control of access to the House Chambers he held great authority but was especially known for greeting Western New Yorkers visiting the Capitol with particular affection. Generations of local residents, many of whom can be found working on the Hill today, benefited from his welcoming spirit and institutional knowledge.'' ``Jim was a friend and confidant. In my first days and months in Congress he was generous with his time and advice, passing on valuable lessons I keep with me today. He will be dearly missed by those in Washington, DC and friends and family locally but we have peace knowing that our own legendary and beloved doorkeeper has now gone on to meet a doorkeeper of a much higher power.'' Mr. Speaker, our country has suffered a great loss with Jim's passing and my deepest condolences are with his wife, Roseanne, his daughter, Amy and son-in-law Michael Bogardus, his beloved grandchildren Catherine and Caroline and Jim's siblings Janet Molloy and Kathleen and William Straub, as well as extended family members and friends. As someone who was blessed to know Jimmy Molloy, I will always carry his memory through these halls.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2011 SAGE World Cup, which is being hosted by Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) is an international network dedicated to creating leaders, innovations, and social enterprises to address the world's needs. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Curtis L. DeBerg, the network now extends to over 500 high schools in 17 countries, and is run completely by volunteers. Each year, the winners of SAGE's national competitions advance to the ``SAGE World Cup,'' where teams are judged not only on marketplace viability, but also on social impact, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. This year, the World Cup will be held in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will join me in honoring SAGE and its 2011 World Cup participants, whose dedication to creating better futures for themselves and others through socially responsible enterprises and businesses is commendable.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the New York State Sister Cities Conference being held today in Cheektowaga, New York. For the first time in over a decade, New York State Sister Cities will be holding a conference to connect all interested parties to share their mutual visions and plans to continue to bring together community leaders and motivated citizens in an effort to improve their community and the world. President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the organization in 1956 to develop international bonds between communities in the United States and abroad while working with ordinary citizens to build relationships that transcend politics and promote world peace. Sister Cities now represents more than 700 US communities and nearly 2,500 partnerships with sister communities in 134 nations. Sister Cities International is a leader for local community development and volunteer action. It fosters the development of partnerships between municipalities in the United States and similar jurisdictions in other nations. These long-term friendships allow citizens to experience and explore other cultures, implement and strengthen economic and community development, and stimulate environments through which communities collaboratively solve problems through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges. This conference will give citizens the opportunity to network, share proven practices, and discuss recent trends in diplomacy leaving everyone prepared to connect communities and strengthen partnerships worldwide. The mission of this program is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation--one individual, one community at a time. And never has there been a time when organizations like Sister Cities have been more vital to promoting peace, cooperation, and the ideal of the United States than there has been now. My district benefits tremendously through Sister Cities' partnerships with communities in nations such as Ghana, China, Germany, Israel, and Poland. I fully support the efforts of this beneficial program to continue to promote transparency between communities and cultures. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride I stand today to recognize the 2011 New York State Sister Cities Conference. I also call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding the great work that it is doing every day.