Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Con. Res. 364, a resolution that recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. H. Con. Resolution 364, which has cosponsorship of 59 of our colleagues, was introduced by Representative Barbara Lee of California on May 22, 2008. It was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008, by voice vote. Throughout the history of the United States, persons of Caribbean descent have made significant contributions in the shaping of America's culture and character. Caribbean-Americans have become one of our greatest leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, including such individuals as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, James Weldon Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Marion Jones, Juan Carlos Finlay, Oscar de la Renta, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and many others. I would like to thank Representative Lee for introducing this resolution. It provides us with an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the history, progress, and heritage of the United States. It is essential that we in the House support our fellow Americans and agree to the resolution, H. Con. Res. 364, recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I would now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York, Yvette Clarke. (Ms. CLARKE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HIGGINS. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I would now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Danny Davis. (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this measure. I urge its passage, and I yield back.

Mr. HIGGINS. We have no more speakers, but I will continue to reserve.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Representative Foster from the State of Illinois.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would yield 3 minutes to the sponsor of the bill, Chaka Fattah, the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a dedicated public servant whose contributions to the residents of my district will live on for many years to come--The Honorable William F. ``Bill'' Robinson. Born in Valdosta, Ga., Mr. Robinson spent part of his youth in Miami, where he excelled at baseball. In 1934, he went on to play in the Negro Leagues for the Brooklyn Royals, as a catcher for the team until 1940. His old uniform now hangs in the Negro League's Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Moved to Buffalo in 1942, Mr. Robinson employed his training as a welder and was recruited to build machine guns at the old Buffalo Arms plant during World War II. He later was employed at International Railway Co., a forerunner to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), for which he was one of the first African-American bus drivers, retiring in 1979 after 35 years of service. What's most amazing, however, is what Bill Robinson did long after most people retire from active work service. Retired from the NFTA but still active as a Democratic Party activist, Mr. Robinson was appointed to the County Legislature in the mid-1980s, following the death of his son Barry, who had been elected to three terms in his own right. Mr. Robinson's service in the Legislature for a time coincided with my own service on the Buffalo Common Council, and while we represented different portions of the city, Mr. Robinson's commitment to his community was on constant display. From 1986 to 1993, Bill Robinson served his constituents with honor, dignity and effectiveness. A quiet man with enormous intelligence, it was an honor to call Bill Robinson my colleague in government. During his time in the Legislature, Bill Robinson served with men and women who would later become members of Congress, State Senators, Members of the State Assembly (including party floor leaders) and many other officeholders. Madam Speaker, Bill Robinson was a truly dedicated public servant; an individual who touched the lives of everyone he met. The impact he made in Erie County will forever bear his name and legacy. I thank you for joining all of Erie County in expressing to the Robinson family the deepest condolences of the House upon their loss.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on June 13 the Nation lost one of its premier political journalists, and my home neighborhood of South Buffalo lost a favorite son. Tim Russert was born in Buffalo on May 7, 1950. Hailing from a proud, working class family, Tim worked his way through Canisius High School and John Carroll University. After graduating from the Cleveland- Marshall College of Law, Tim Russert entered public service, working for Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and New York Governor Mario Cuomo. In 1984 Tim began his celebrated career in journalism at NBC, where he stood out by, among other accomplishments, arranging the first live appearance on American television by Pope John Paul II. In 1991 NBC named Tim Russert the moderator of ``Meet the Press,'' a landmark decision that would leave a lasting impact not only on the Sunday morning talk shows but on all journalism. Tim served masterfully as anchor and political analyst. He earned a reputation as a tenacious yet fair interviewer of his guests. His preparation and performance on ``Meet the Press'' set a new standard for political journalists: that they should ask, and demand answers to, the pressing questions of the day. No one did that better than Tim Russert. Russert was also an accomplished author. His moving books, ``Big Russ and Me'' and ``Wisdom of Our Fathers,'' became New York Times best sellers. They also provided insight into the top priority Tim Russert placed on his family, his community, and the tradition of that community. It was well noted in public remembrances of Tim Russert's life that he was proud of his Buffalo roots. What most people do not know is how proud Buffalo was of Tim Russert. We remember Tim as one of our greatest ambassadors, a kid from the neighborhood who never forgot his roots and continually made us proud. In many ways he defined how we in Buffalo see ourselves: tough, loyal, and hard working, not easily fooled. Tim Russert embodied these characteristics, and he never forget where he came from because that helped ultimately make who he was. Tim's pride in his hometown was never more evident than when he would go on ``Meet the Press'' and use that pulpit to issue his ``Go Bills!'' before a big game. With Tim's love of the Buffalo Bills in mind, the legislation before the House today will author a fitting and lasting tribute to one of Buffalo's favorite sons. S. 3145 would designate a portion of Route 20A in the town of Orchard Park, New York, the road leading to the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium, as the ``Timothy J. Russert Highway.'' It will serve as a lasting celebration of Tim's life and provide Western New Yorkers and visitors alike the opportunity to take pride in Tim's contributions while on their way to see his beloved Bills win another game. S. 3145 was agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent on June 25. Passage today would send the bill to the White House and enable our community to honor Tim in what for all we hope will be another winning season for the Buffalo Bills. Lastly, I would like to thank Chairman Jim Oberstar, Ward McCarragher, and Jim Kolb of the committee staff for their assistance with this legislation, and I urge its adoption today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3145) to designate a portion of United States Route 20A, located in Orchard Park, New York, as the ``Timothy J. Russert Highway''.

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 3145.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ms. Catherine M. ``Kitty'' (Stasio) LaFalce, proud mother of our former colleague, Congressman John J. LaFalce. Born in Buffalo in 1914, Mrs. LaFalce the youngest of a brood of 14 children, and was as devoted as Western New Yorker as we have ever seen. She will be dearly missed by her many family members who will hold her memory with them always. Mrs. LaFalce, who passed away last week at the age of 94, was a wonderful wife to the late Dominic E. LaFalce, and was the beloved mother of two children: John and Lorraine LaFalce Kenny; was grandmother to four grandchildren: Lauren, Christine, Allison, and Martin; and great-grandmother to four: Austin, Rachel, Colton, and Autumn. Her life was a blessing to her friends, family, and community. Survived also by her dear sister, Rita Chiavaroli and many dozens of family members and good friends, Mrs. LaFalce's memory will be one of a strong woman with tremendous faith, and her memory will endure for many years to come. Madam Speaker, I hope that you will join with me in expressing to our former colleague Mr. LaFalce and to the entire LaFalce family the most sincere condolences of the House upon the passing of Catherine M. ``Kitty'' LaFalce.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Maclain Berhaupt for her years of service to Dunkirk, NY and her new opportunity in her hometown of Jamestown, NY. Maclain's career is a wonderful example of what public service should be. I would like to touch briefly on the many projects with which Maclain has been involved. Maclain has been employed as the Director of Development for the City of Dunkirk for the past three years. During that time she saw the Boardwalk Market, the Crocker-Sprague building redevelopment, and the soon-to-be-built SUNY Technology Incubator projects come to fruition. Mayor Richard Frey of Dunkirk has said that when Maclain was hired, she was not just an employee, she was an investment. This investment in the city's future certainly paid off, and Dunkirk is a better place today because of the dedication shown by Maclain. Friday June 27, 2008 will be Maclain's last official day as the Director of Development in Dunkirk. She will then take her new post as the Urban Design Planning Coordinator for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. As she returns to her hometown one thing is for sure. Maclain's future is bright and full of opportunity. I applaud her for her service and dedication to the Western New York community. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating Maclain on her job well done as the Dunkirk Director of Development and sending best wishes on her new career as the Urban Design Planning Coordinator for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. Madam Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Maclain on her new opportunity in her hometown of Jamestown, NY and wish her and her family the best. Maclain's work should inspire us all to serve our communities and fellow man with dedicated hearts and committed lives.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. I yield 1 additional minute to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter).

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).