Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, with great pride and delight I rise today to honor a dedicated and respected community member, family man and veteran upon his 50th anniversary of exceptional service in the East Rochester School District.

Mr. Nicholas Morabito has led a life deeply connected and committed to his hometown of East Rochester, New York. Through his distinguished professional career and his spirit to make his community a better place, Mr. Morabito has left a lasting mark since graduating from East Rochester High School in 1943. Ten years later, Mr. Morabito would become the first graduate of East Rochester to be admitted to the New York bar, and in 1956 he would start his tenure as school attorney to the East Rochester School District, the position he still holds today. In this role for more than a half-century now, Mr. Morabito's priority and personal charge has been to serve educators and students, providing incomparable expertise and counsel to his Alma Mater.

That sense of dedication and service has defined Mr. Morabito his whole life, in East Rochester and beyond. In 1943, in the midst of WorId War II, Mr. Morabito joined the Navy after graduating from high school. Serving at Pearl Harbor and the Midway Islands through 1946, Mr. Morabito would return home a proud yet humble veteran who fulfilled his duty with honor and defended his country in the neediest of times.

After the war, Mr. Morabito began his distinguished legal career, which would be marked by his service in the New York State Assembly and Senate. From 1955 to 1960, Mr. Morabito served as counsel to the Military Affairs Committee in the state assembly, and from 1960 to 1963 served as counsel to the Labor and Industry Committee in the state senate. His civil service continued as Village Justice in East Rochester from 1960 to 1967, all the while fulfilling the position he so dutifully serves to this day as school attorney in East Rochester.

Mr. Morabito, through it all, has first and foremost been a devoted family man: husband to wife Patricia Ann for well over 50 years, father to 7 sons, and grandfather to 23 grandchildren. Born to parents Antonio and Angeline who emigrated from Italy, Mr. Morabito was instilled with the belief that family comes first. For Mr. Morabito, it does, and it always will.

Thus, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his 50 years of tremendous service to the East Rochester School District and his courageous service to his country, and for his sense of community and his sense of family, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Mr. Nicholas Morabito.

Mr. Speaker, with great pride and delight I rise today to honor a leader and entrepreneur who has spent his lifetime raising up not only buildings and properties, but his Western New York community as well.

Mr. Frank L. Ciminelli has literally left his mark on Western New York through his leadership, savvy, integrity and hard work as founder and head of Ciminelli Development Company, making him one of the most respected figures in the area. Headquartered in the Buffalo-Niagara region since its inception, the company has created, developed, renovated and renewed more than 9 million square feet of the region's commercial and industrial space, dotting the region's map with distinctive properties and more than 350 business tenants. Mr. Ciminelli's life and work has been fully committed to Western New York--to building and transforming the region, supporting its businesses and giving back to the community.

Mr. Ciminelli built his business and his dream from the ground up. After graduating from the Erie County Technical Institute in 1954, he started his residential construction specializing in concrete work before branching out to commercial and industrial projects. The Frank L. Ciminelli Construction Company was founded in 1960, and over the next decades Mr. Ciminelli would expand his operation into a diverse and highly successful general construction, development and management entity. Transitioning into full service real estate development, Mr. Ciminelli founded the Ciminelli Development Company in 1981. From site selection through tenant occupancy, the company now controls all aspects of its development projects, earning accolades for its quality and reliability and earning Mr. Ciminelli numerous awards, including the 1996 Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year, the 1995 Upstate New York Entrepreneur of the Year and the 1993 Buffalonian of the Year and most recently the 2006 Brick by Brick Lifetime Achievement Award.

His mark on Western New York goes far beyond his buildings, however. Mr. Ciminelli has made it a priority and personal charge to give back to the Western New York community. Involved in countless organizations--including Sisters of Charity Hospital, Sisters of Mercy,

University at Buffalo Foundation, American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, just to name a few--Mr. Ciminelli has been a community leader as much as a business leader, a tremendous corporate citizen. With as much zeal and willpower with which he has led his business, he has given back for the good of his beloved Western New York community.

Through it all, Mr. Ciminelli has been a devoted family man, husband to wife Rosalie, father to six children and grandfather to eleven. Although guiding a first rate business to the very top, Mr. Ciminelli has always insisted that family means most to him and has led his life accordingly. The youngest of 12 children himself, he has always known that family comes first, and always will.

Thus, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the indelible mark Mr. Ciminelli has left on Western New York, his remarkable business accomplishments, his charitable gifts and his spirit to make his community a better place, I ask that this Honorable Body join me in honoring Mr. Frank L. Ciminelli.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mike Vadala as the Chairman of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). Elected to the NAFCU Board in 1997, Mike has been a leader in the credit union community both nationally and within my great state of New York.

For the past 9 years, Mr. Vadala has been balancing his time as a NAFCU Board Member including this past year as the Chairman of the NAFCU Board, along with his responsibilities as President/CEO of The Summit

Federal Credit Union. With over 67,000 members in northern New York, The Summit FCU has fostered many savings programs targeted to today's youth by teaching the importance of saving through targeted programs ranging from kindergarten through college. Mr. Vadala has worked hard to promote financial education programs and has armed his members with protecting themselves against identity theft.

Throughout his tenure as Chairman of the NAFCU Board of Directors, Mr. Vadala worked tirelessly to enhance the federal credit union charter by working with Congress for regulatory relief legislation for credit unions. As Chairman, he has also helped maintain NAFCU's status as a leading credit union trade association.

Mr. Vadala has proven himself to be a true gentleman. I have seen him walking the Halls of Congress many times carrying the torch for the credit union industry, and he has testified before this Congress on multiple occasions on issues important to credit unions.

Many would think that the work he does for credit unions would be enough to fill a day, but Mr. Vadala does much more. He is a dedicated family man as well. Mr. Vadala and his family have played a huge role in fundraising for the United Way in upstate New York. He was also the former Chairperson of the March of Dimes Walk America. His work with these organizations has made a huge impact on thousands of lives in New York and beyond. Also Mr. Speaker, I could not fail to mention that Mr. Vadala is one of the biggest Syracuse Orange fans I have ever had the privilege to meet; I would like to share one more ``Go Orange'' with Mr. Vadala as he concludes his time on the NAFCU Board.

I rise today to congratulate Mr. Mike Vadala on his fine work throughout his illustrious tenure as Chair of NAFCU. I have worked with him on issues that are important to the credit union community in the past and I am committed to continuing this relationship.

With more than 20 years experience in the credit union community, there is no doubt in my mind that our good friends at NAFCU will feel a great void once he steps down. Congratulations on your retirement from the NAFCU Board Mr. Vadala.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an inspiring and devoted leader from my district who just opened our House with a moving prayer.

Pastor Karl Eastlack heads up one of the largest congregations in the 26th Congressional District of New York. The thousands who are drawn to Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Williamsville, New York, are there because they see something special in Pastor Eastlack.

Pastor Eastlack's words provide guidance and comfort in an often rough and uncertain world. The words, he will tell you, are not his own but those of God who called him into service decades ago.

Pastor Eastlack arrived at Eastern Hills in 1987 to just 19 parishioners. The church has grown to 4,000 strong under the leadership of Pastor Eastlack, his family and staff, but Pastor Eastlack will tell you that more important than the number of bodies in the pews any given week are the number of lives being touched, changed and made better through the work of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. That is how he measures success.

Today, he is active in western New York's community, which he and his family call home, but he has been called to preach and teach throughout the world.

When Pastor Eastlack accepted his call to ministry, God had no boundaries for where he would serve. In the parable of the Good Shepherd, John 10:4 reads, ``I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.''

A good shepherd, too, leads the flock of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, and Mr. Speaker, in honor of his spiritual leadership, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Pastor Karl Eastlack.

I thank the distinguished gentleman from Virginia for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona. It is the responsibility of all Members of this distinguished body to faithfully represent the interests and well being of their constituents.

I come to this Chamber again today to once again support the needs of my home district, where job creation continues to be the number one priority of western New York. The Federal investment included by the Appropriations Committee for the Rochester Tooling and Machining Association is welcome news for western New York.

I appreciate that the chairman of the committee recognizes, as I do, that this project is worthy of Federal involvement through the Small Business Administration and will be used to meet the ultimate objective of creating and retaining good high-paying jobs for the hardworking Americans I represent.

The Rochester Tooling and Machining Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the development and improvement of tooling, machining and contract manufacturing industries in Monroe County and western New York. They have been the region's leading association for the tooling and machining cluster for over 60 years.

With more than 500 tooling and machine companies in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse communities, employing approximately 16,000 people, these companies clearly have a significant economic impact in my region. The goal in this project is to assist these firms with necessary training in advanced manufacturing methods which will enhance their competitive position by reducing costs and maximizing efficiencies.

The association plans to implement programs in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma training, which will streamline business manufacturing and business practices and cut down on unnecessary expenses. By implementing proven business training techniques, we can ensure our manufacturers increase their competitiveness in today's global marketplace.

This project will be a big boost to the marketability of our manufacturing sector and help with new business activity for the region, which will lead to

job retention and, hopefully, job creation. The stated goal of the Small Business Administration is to ``maintain and strengthen the Nation's economy by aiding, counseling and assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses.'' This funding is completely in line with those principles.

I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 751 to honor the American Ballet Theatre. For 65 years, the theatre has entertained and educated thousands, becoming a national cultural icon as ``America's National Ballet Company.''

The American Ballet Theatre has performed in all 50 states inspiring and thrilling Americans with their skilled artistry. The company has also served as America's cultural ambassador by bringing American dance to more than 42 countries, often as representatives of the State Department.

Yet beyond being one of the world's truly great ballet companies, the American Ballet Theatre has also excelled off the stage in its remarkable education efforts, Throughout its history, the company has brought classical dance to communities not typically able to experience world-class ballet and to students throughout the country. The theater has created some of the most innovative educational programs dealing with the arts, including the Make a Ballet program, empowering at-risk students by giving them the resources and confidence to produce and stage their very own ballet.

In my community, the American Ballet Theatre has also been a giving and vital artistic institution, providing Rochester-area residents rare performances and indispensable educational opportunities. In 2004, the company presented an extraordinary internationally-themed program at New Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, giving audience members the unique chance to see up close famed performers and dance styles from throughout the world. The American Ballet Theatre also offered a class--taught by the former theater dancer and artistic director John Meehan--giving local dance students the opportunity to learn and perform alongside up-and-coming ABT dancers.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 751 to celebrate and honor an important cultural icon of America, the American Ballet Theatre.

Mr. Speaker, I had prepared remarks talking about the fact that so many people said we couldn't, absolutely couldn't do a middle class tax break for 2006 on AMT. We absolutely couldn't put that withholding the tax rates for 2 more years on capital gains and on dividends, and some might have even forgotten that expensing for small business section 179 allows an extension of the opportunity to have an additional 2 years of expensing of $100,000 on small business.

So when I listened to my colleague from the other side of the aisle put

forth the politics of the party of ``no,'' what he failed to say and what we saw on the weekend talk shows, the Democratic Party stands for more taxes and bigger government. He was quick to outline the things he would like to see Federal Government spend, but he didn't tell you it is going to come from a tax increase.

There is no comparison. If you cannot support this legislation today to continue middle class tax cuts for the AMT and to help businesses continue the economy that has the strength that we have seen and strength for quarter after quarter after quarter, it was a clear message from the financial markets and Wall Street and businesses across Main Street U.S.A. today, give us continuity of knowing that we have the opportunity of having both dividends and capital gains as part of our planning. More importantly, fit in expenses so we can plan the small businesses that we can write 100 grand off.

Maybe the Democratic Party has been out of touch with mainstream businesses across our country because that is a clear message they asked us to get done. Chairman Thomas and the conferees have completed that work. I urge passage of this legislation today because it is going to give a break to middle class America.

Mr. Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House's middle-class AMT relief bill--which has been incorporated into the legislation before us today--I rise in strong support of this conference report.

For months now, we've heard our friends on the other side of the aisle tell us that we must choose between extending the lower rates on investments and the need to extend essential middle-class AMT relief. For months, they've said we can't do both. And for months, the party or no has offered no solutions and no fresh ideas--just slash and burn attacks on the Republican majority.

But today, Mr. Speaker, our majority is moving and with our positive agenda on behalf of America's hardworking taxpayers.

With regard to the AMT, many in this chamber will recall that the House passed my Stealth Tax Relief Act late last year by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 414 to 4. That legislation would prevent this stealth tax from sneaking up on millions of unsuspecting middle-class taxpayers by extending the temporary AMT relief for one additional year.

I would remind my colleagues that the stealth tax was never intended to hit the middle class. It was originally enacted in 1969 to prevent a small percentage of taxpayers with very high incomes from paying little or no Federal income tax. However, because the AMT was never adjusted for inflation, it is now threatening more and more middle class taxpayers each year as they climb the income ladder.

While Congress must certainly continue to work toward a permanent solution on this critical issue, our immediate task is clear. America's middle class deserves to have its temporary AMT relief extended, and I am very pleased that my legislation serves as a centerpiece of today's conference report.

I am also pleased that the conference agreement includes an extension of the lower rates for capital gains and dividends. This is an important priority not just for the ever-growing investor class--which includes millions of seniors and other middle-class Americans--but for our economy as a whole.

Thanks in large part to these lower rates on investments, tax revenues have been streaming into the Federal Treasury at a record pace. And these lower rates--which are particularly important to the economy of my home state of New York--have helped keep our Nation's economy strong and our domestic job base growing.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Chairman Thomas and the other conferees for their efforts to ensure that these critical priorities are addressed, and I urge my colleagues to support this much-needed tax relief with a strong, bipartisan vote.

Mr. Speaker, I find it such an ironic message that my colleague from Illinois chose about his remarks. As he talks about so many problems in Washington, he failed to mention any on his side of the aisle. We kind of nicknamed that the culture of hypocrisy. It is a hypocrisy of attack the Republicans, slash and burn, no debate, no real issues, just the party

of ``no'' from the Democrats on the other side of the aisle.

When you look at some of the discussions he talked about, with lobbying reform and others, he must remember that the colloquy between the majority leader and the minority would also show clearly that the majority leader fully intends to bring reform legislation to this body for debate and for final solution.

I also think about hypocrisy when I think about some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle addressing so many things about the majority, except they forgot that our leaders step down when they are indicted, because that is what our party rules say. Our chairman stepped down because that is what our party rules say. And in the 10 years while you have been reflecting, your rules don't say the same. Your leaders can get indicted, or the ranking members can get indicted and you don't have to step down because you haven't even recognized that as a basic element of your own party, let alone your quick criticisms of this institution.

I also want to say that while I confess I did not think that BCRA was the solution for campaign finance reform, and voted that way on both the House Administration Committee and on this floor, I accepted it as the law of the land. It was legislation passed by both bodies, signed by the President, affirmed by the Supreme Court. But as I was listening to those who are pro-BCRA, that wanted this law as it sits today, they found a loophole, called 527s.

And all the debate on leveling the playing field was get the big money out of politics. Well, four individuals on the Democratic side had over $80 million; four Republicans had over $23 million as they were engaged in obscene, big money, unregulated in campaigns influencing Presidential, congressional, and referendum votes.

So when we look at some common sense, I think the American people are going to, quite frankly, think this makes sense. Let us get unregulated big money out of the campaigns by having a level playing field across the system, universal, in the money you give to your political party.

As we level the playing field, all we are asking is that rich individuals who want to be in the process have the same rights extended to them that individuals who want to give to the political party, whether it is the Democratic National Committee or its subordinate parties or the Republican National Committee and its subordinate parties, the same amount of money to 527s as they invest in the opportunity to express themselves however they want, with the same reviewed Supreme Court aspect of having a level playing field across the entire system.

Anyone who doesn't vote for this that supported BCRA is a hypocrite. Anyone on the other side that doesn't recognize that this is a loophole in the law, and they have a chance to at least level the field under the law we are going to live under, misses the point. I urge that you support this legislation that is before us today.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when, in our Ethics Committee, the Democrats will give the tools to a bipartisan five-five Ethics Committee to begin reviewing both Democrats and Republicans who need to go before that committee to have resolution of stuff that has been stalled for the entire 2005 year by the Democratic leadership.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of the subcommittee, on which I am proud to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House Middle Class AMT Relief bill, I rise in opposition to the Democratic motion to instruct offered by my home State colleague, Mr. Rangel.

Madam Speaker, the Democratic motion presents a false choice between extending the lower rates on capital gains and dividends and the need to extend middle-class AMT relief. In my view, both of these are important priorities, and we need to address each of them at the earliest possible opportunity.

With regard to AMT, many in this Chamber will recall the House passed my stealth tax relief act last year, late in the year, by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 414-4. That legislation would prevent the alternative minimum tax from sneaking up on millions of unsuspecting middle-class taxpayers by extending the temporary AMT relief for another additional year. Together we sent a strong, unmistakable signal to our colleagues across the Capitol that extending this temporary middle-class AMT relief is a crucial priority that cannot be ignored.

Madam Speaker, we passed the AMT relief as a stand-alone measure outside of reconciliation. We did that so we could comply with the budget rules of the other body without raising taxes. At the same time, we recognized that extending the lower rates for capital gains and dividends is important, not just to the ever-growing investor class that now includes millions of seniors and other middle-class Americans, but to our economy as a whole.

Thanks in large part to these lower rates on investments, tax revenues have been streaming into the Federal Treasury at a record pace.

These lower rates, which are particularly important to the economy of my home State of New York, have helped our Nation in keeping this economy strong and our domestic job base growing. That is why the House tax reconciliation bill included an extension of these lower tax rates on investments.

But what does today's motion to instruct do? Yes, it urges relief from the AMT, but it does so by crowding out the other important pro- growth tax policies that have helped keep our economy strong. Even worse, by insisting that we provide AMT relief within the reconciliation process, the Democrat motion would force conferees to raise taxes somewhere else.

I would remind my colleagues that AMT was never intended to hit the middle class. Protecting middle-class taxpayers against the stealth tax should not require a tax hike somewhere else as the price of admission.

Madam Speaker, I commend Chairman Thomas and the other conferees for their ongoing hard work on both of these important issues.

I urge my colleagues to defeat this Democratic motion.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding young man, his supportive teammates, and an inspirational performance on the basketball court. In a matter of just 4 minutes, Jason McElwain and the Greece Athena High School Trojans showed us all the power of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.

Jason has always been a steadfast and energetic contributor to the Greece Athena Varsity Basketball team in his role as team manager. Although never getting a chance to play, Jason placed his heart and soul into helping the team and became an indispensable teammate, day in and day out.

Jason also has been challenged everyday by autism, a disability that, while difficult, has not undercut Jason's goals or his involvement with the team. In turn, Jason's teammates, led by Coach Jim Johnson, have embraced him and believed in him. To them, Jason is not an autistic team manager; rather he is simply, emphatically a teammate. And a passionate teammate--Jason never misses practice and is always a helpful supporter at games, dispensing water bottles and advice from the team bench dressed in his trademark shirt and tie.

That was until February 15, when Coach Johnson told Jason to suit up in the Trojan uniform for the first time for the last game of the regular season. Jason's dedication, his teammates' support, his coach's trust, all were set to pay off in a most dramatic way.

With only 4 minutes remaining in the game, Jason got the call off the bench. He took the floor, and his fellow students went wild. They held up signs. They chanted his nickname, ``J-Mac.'' The cheers and chants would only grow louder as Jason put on a performance that the town of Greece will never forget. In his short but remarkable debut for Greece Athena, Jason made not one, not two, but six 3 pointers, and finished the game with 20 points. As his final shot swished clean through the net with 2 seconds to play, the raucous fans rushed the court. Coach Johnson, along with most, was brought to tears. Jason's teammates hoisted him upon their shoulders. A true hero and the true meaning of teamwork were discovered that night on the hardwood in Greece.

And the Trojans weren't finished. Two weeks later, that teamwork propelled the Spartans to the very top, as they won their sectional championship. Jason, back in his shirt and tie, yet never more important a teammate, cheered and assisted from the bench. When the championship trophy was presented, Jason was the first to lift it over his head.

Jason's perseverance and his teammates' support serve as a great example to us all. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their remarkable achievement, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Jason McElwain and the Greece Athena High School Basketball Trojans.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding young man, his supportive teammates and an inspirational performance on the basketball court.

In a matter of just 4 minutes, Jason McElwain and the Greece Athena High School Trojans showed us all the power of dedication, teamwork and perseverance. Jason also placed his heart and soul into helping the Trojans as team manager, and although never getting a chance to play, became an indispensable teammate.

Jason has also been challenged every day by autism, a disability that, while difficult, has not undercut Jason's goal or his support for the team. In turn, Jason's teammates, led by Coach Jim Johnson, have embraced him and believed in him, becoming his greatest friends and supporters.

This teamwork and mutual respect was never clearer than on the night of February 15. With only 4 minutes remaining in the final game of the regular season, Jason made his remarkable debut for the Trojans. He went on to make six 3-pointers and finished with 20 points.

A true hero and the true meaning of the word teamwork was discovered that night on the hardwood in Greece. And 2 weeks later, that teamwork propelled the Trojans to the very top as they won their sectional championship. Jason's perseverance and his teammates' support serve as a great example to us all.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their remarkable achievement, I ask this honorable body to join me in honoring Jason McElwain and the Greece Athena High School Basketball Trojans.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected jurist, a dedicated public servant and a trusted friend upon the occasion of his retirement from the New York State Court of Claims.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to proud immigrant parents, a long- time resident of Buffalo and Williamsville, New York, Judge Mario J. Rossetti began his public service when he joined the Niagara Frontier Port Authority early in his legal career. Rossetti also served as a confidential lawyer to the Erie County Surrogate's Court through 1981.

Judge Rossetti's dedication to public service culminated when he was nominated by Governor Mario Cuomo, and confirmed by the New York State Senate, as a New York State Court of Claims Judge in 1987. The day Judge Rossetti swore the oath of office was one of the proudest days of his life, though he lamented that his deceased father could not witness it. Upon reappointment to the post by Governor George E. Pataki, Judge Rossetti has served as a Court of Claims Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice since 1987.

Mr. Speaker, in the cases that have come before him, Judge Rossetti has dispensed justice with great compassion and firmness of judgment. Judge Rossetti's deep love of the law and his regard for the highest potential of the legal profession deepened his sense of fulfillment while on the Court. Attorneys practicing before Judge Rossetti often remarked that they enjoyed trying cases before him because he let them try their cases as the advocates that they are supposed to be, with the Judge enforcing the rules of the court.

Mr. Speaker, Mario Rossetti's involvement in a variety of civic and community organizations have made their mark on the community. Most of those endeavors also bore the unmistakable mark of Helen Rossetti, nee Pacini, Mario's dear wife who passed away in June. Married in Buffalo in 1958, the couple had six children, Michael, Thomas, Ann Marie, Barbara, David and Renee.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of and in gratitude for his service, leadership and patriotism, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Judge Mario J. Rossetti upon the occasion of his retirement, and wish him great health and happiness in the days and years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected jurist, a dedicated public servant and a trusted friend upon the occasion of her selection as recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award from the Interclub Council of Western New York.

Judge Sharon S. Townsend is most deserving of this award, as she exemplifies the spirit and character of Susan B. Anthony by her record of professionalism, community service and achievements. Judge Townsend was the first woman in the Eighth Judicial District to be appointed Administrative Judge, a position she assumed in January 2003.

This fine judge's career is marked by her election to the New York State Supreme Court in November 2003, and she was previously elected to the Family Court in 1992 and re-elected to a second 10-year term in November 2001. Judge Townsend's community service also includes seven years as Justice in the Village of Williamsville.

Mr. Speaker, Judge Townsend's involvement in a variety of civic and community organizations have made their mark on the community. She serves on the Board of Trustees and was a model court lead judge for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. In 1995, she was appointed a member of the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children. Since 2003, she has served as a member of Chief Judge Kaye's Adoption Now Task Force, and she served as chair of the Family Court Advisory and Rules Committee for the New York State Office of Court Administration for four years.

Her community activities reflect this dedication to Western New York. Her activities, among others, include, YWCA Public Leadership Alumnae Network, Governor's Commission on Child Abuse and Neglect, Bryn-Lyn Community Hospital Advisory Board, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and Gates Circle Operating Boards, Erie Community College North Advisory Board, and served as an adjunct professor at Medaille College.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Judge Townsend was recipient of the Erie County Court Appointed Special Advocates Light of Hope Award, the Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award from the Erie County Judges and Police Conference, and the Erie County Bar Association named her Jurist of the Year in 2001. In March 2004, she was recognized as one of the Women Making History in Erie County, and the next year she received from the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York, Western Chapter, the Lady Justice A ward, named in memory of Judge Townsend's mentor, the Honorable M. Dolores Denman.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of and in gratitude for her service, leadership and patriotism, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Judge Sharon S. Townsend upon receiving the Susan B. Anthony Award from the Interclub Council of Western New York.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. William Lepsch on the occasion

of his retirement and his dedication to public service.

Mr. Lepsch has made a lifetime commitment to his community and Nation. As a young man, he served our Nation in the army during the Vietnam War. He has spent over 30 years as a member of the Attica Fire Department, serving as Chief, Rescue Squad Captain, EMT, and representing the department on various county and regional boards. He has served the residents of the Village of Attica as a Village Trustee for 10 years, most recently as Deputy Mayor. Mr. Lepsch has also been active in his parish church, serving as a parish board member and parish school volunteer accountant.

Colleagues, friends, and family alike hail Mr. Lepsch as someone who has exemplified genuine concern and dedication to his family and his neighbors and constituents.

It is with a great pride and gratitude that I rise to thank and honor Mr. Lepsch for his many years of commitment and loyalty to the citizens of Attica and Wyoming County.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16, 2005, I was unavoidably absent during rollcall vote No. 658.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 658.

Amendment No. 18 Offered by Mr. Sullivan