Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Timothy Murphy as one of this year's recipients of the University of Buffalo's President's Medal. The University of Buffalo's President's Medal recognizes those who have made extraordinary contributions to the quality of life and development in the University's community. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this award than Dr. Timothy Murphy.

Dr. Murphy is an internationally recognized expert in respiratory infections and has transformed the way the medical community approaches them. His research has made significant breakthroughs in the understanding of bacterial infections in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vaccine development for both ear infections and COPD.

Outside of his groundbreaking research, Dr. Murphy is the founding director of the University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute, which advances research throughout the University and its partners to reduce health disparities in our community. With a team of approximately 40 faculty and 118 staff members, the Institute has catalyzed a transformation of the clinical and translational research environment. More recently, the University at Buffalo launched the Community Health Equity Research Institute under Dr. Murphy's leadership. Working closely with community partners and faculty from all 12 schools at UB, the Institute works to support research that address the root cause of health disparities while developing and testing solutions to the social determinants that cause them.

Once again, I would like to congratulate Dr. Timothy Murphy on his well-deserved achievement of receiving the University of Buffalo's President's Medal. I thank him for his tremendous efforts to advance the medical field all while supporting his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an incredible member of our community, Chef Bobby Anderson. A trailblazing culinary artist, passionate leader, and dedicated mentor, Mr. Anderson has shaped the futures of countless young people in Western New York.

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Mr. Anderson studied at the Culinary Institute of America, pursuing his passion for sharing culture through food. After graduating, Mr. Anderson returned to Buffalo to begin his career at the Hyatt Regency's EB Green's Steakhouse. Under his leadership, EB Green's Steakhouse was recognized as the fourth-best steakhouse in the nation. Following this success, Mr. Anderson spearheaded the opening of the Seneca Niagara Casino Restaurant and Buffet, which received a four-star recognition.

Mr. Anderson then entered the national culinary stage, competing on Chef Gordon Ramsay's TV series, Hell's Kitchen. His outstanding performance allowed him to finish in the top four. Gordon Ramsay then extended the rare opportunity for Mr. Anderson to work at two of his restaurants in Manchester and London.

Upon returning home to Niagara Falls after his time abroad, Mr. Anderson wanted to use his skills to give back to our community. In 2009, Mr. Anderson founded his nonprofit, Food Based Interventions with Technology, Science, and Energy, better known as F BITES. By providing students with culinary training, F BITES equips youth with hard and soft skills necessary for their future success in the industry. Over 85 percent of F BITES program graduates have enrolled in higher education or entered the workforce, improving the youth poverty rates and employment rates in Western New York.

Under Mr. Anderson's stellar leadership, F BITES has become a comet stone of our community, Beginning as an afterschool program in Niagara Falls City School District, F BITES has now expanded to over 60 institutions in the region, ranging from schools, community centers, city programs, and reentry initiatives. From opening the first Barista Training Program in America at Niagara Falls High School, to giving students their first job opportunity at F BITES eateries around Niagara Falls, Mr. Anderson has made our community a more equitable place.

Despite his numerous culinary achievements, Mr. Anderson remains most proud of the transformative impact he has had on countless individuals in our community. Today, we thank Chef Bobby Anderson for his tremendous work in using his culinary talent to bring opportunities and joy to all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the loss of a local institution, The Old Pink, a neighborhood tavern where western New Yorkers ended a night out on the town with a drink and one of The Old Pink's famous steak sandwiches.

On June 17, a fire broke out at The Old Pink, and it was damaged beyond repair.

The Old Pink was founded by Kevin and Dennis Brinkworth in 1968 and has remained in the family since, with Molly Brinkworth managing the iconic landmark for the last three decades.

Molly's famous last call at Buffalo's 4 a.m. closing time gave everyone a heads up that was their last drink and to find a ride home or figure out their next stop.

As the saying goes: You don't have to go home; you just can't stay here.

While Buffalo has undergone numerous changes over the years, The Old Pink was a constant. Countless bartenders would head to The Old Pink after their own last call for a nightcap and late dinner, further cementing the bar's legendary status in Buffalo.

To Molly and her team who gave us so many unforgettable nights, we are heartbroken at the loss of this institution, an irreplaceable part of Buffalo's nightlife. We offer our hopeful cheers to the idea that perhaps this isn't The Old Pinks's last call.

Slainte.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pastor Dwayne R. Gillison, Sr., as he receives the Community Leadership Award from the Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club, Inc. Pastor Gillison's devotion to his faith and public service will be recognized at the 116th Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs Convention.

Pastor Gillison is a proud graduate of the State University of New York Brockport, the Bible College of Rochester, and the Houghton Christian Academy. In 2022, Pastor Gillison was elevated to Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Buffalo. In his ministry, Pastor Gillison has led the construction of the Mount Olive Senior Manor, an affordable housing community for seniors on the East Side of Buffalo. Working with People Inc., the complex will provide 65 accessible housing units to seniors in need.

Beyond his pastoral work, Pastor Gillison is committed to serving his community in all capacities. Through his leadership with the Concerned Clergy Coalition, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Buffalo & Vicinity, and the Urban Think Tank, Pastor Gillison is a guiding figure in the community. Further, Pastor Gillison leads the Mount Olive Development Corporation, a non-profit organization founded by his late father, Pastor William Gillison. With the Mount Olive Development Corporation, Pastor Gillison provides resources for families on Buffalo's East Side to address their economic, social, and educational needs. Pastor Gillison established the Buffalo Raiders Little League Football team, a safe place for youth to participate in healthy programming.

Today, Pastor Gillison is a loving husband to his wife, Victoria, father of three, and grandfather of three. He continues to unify our community through his devotion to faith and commitment to service. Please join me in congratulating Pastor Dwayne R. Gillison, Sr. for receiving the Community Leadership Award and thanking him for his remarkable dedication to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the village of Depew. Named in honor of U.S. Senator Chauncey Depew and incorporated at a time of significant growth and industrialization on July 23, 1894, Depew quickly became a key manufacturing and railroad hub for the city of Buffalo.

Built on the hard work of immigrants hailing from Holland, Ireland, Prussia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Poland, the village thrived, raising generations of hardworking and successful Americans.

Historically known for being a vital manufacturer in the railroad industry, the village continues to be a hub of economic development in western New York, hosting numerous businesses in the logistics, construction, and hospitality industries, among others.

For the thousands of people who live there, Depew is home; a great place to raise a family, start a business, and be a part of a tight- knit community.

It is the kind of place where neighbors look out for each other and where civic engagement is still a core part of daily life.

I congratulate the people of Depew and my friend Mayor Kevin Peterson on the village's 130th anniversary and thank them for their continued contributions to the fabric of western New York.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the veterans who have made great personal sacrifices to serve our country.

To all those who have donned the military uniform, on behalf of a grateful nation, I say thank you.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to Assistant Leader Joe Neguse and Ranking Member Mark Takano for holding this Special Order to honor our veterans. From burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan to Agent Orange in Vietnam, veterans exposed to toxic substances face challenges that impact their quality of life and long-term health.

We owe it to our veterans who have defended democracy and preserved our precious freedoms to deliver the benefits that they have earned and deserved. That is why Democrats passed and President Biden signed into law the PACT Act which represents the largest expansion of benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxins during their time in service in over 30 years.

To date, over 1 million PACT Act claims have been approved. People are receiving the care and benefits that they need and deserve. As an added success, the law has led to an increase in veterans accessing medical services from VA hospitals, crucially including a generation of Vietnam veterans. Additionally, the widows of veterans will receive compensation because of this law, fulfilling the Nation's duty of care to the families of veterans.

The PACT Act is making a difference for veterans in New York and across the country in accessing the benefits that they need to lead healthy lives.

Again, I say to our veterans: our Nation is forever indebted to you for your noble service. God bless you all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Reverend Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. A faithful priest, visionary leader, and beloved community member. Father Levesque was a true pillar of our community. His unwavering commitment to service changed the lives of all whom he knew.

A native of North Tarrytown, NY, Father Levesque entered the Congregation of the Mission after finishing high school. He completed his studies at Mary Immaculate Seminary in 1967 and became an ordained Vincentian priest. Afterwards, Father Levesque taught religious studies at St. John's Preparatory School, St. Joseph's Seminary, and Niagara University before pursuing his Doctoral Degree in theology at Catholic University of America.

In 1978, Father Levesque returned to Niagara University to continue teaching. Here, he was named the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Director of the Graduate Division.

Returning to seminary work in 1986, Father Levesque became the president of St. Joseph's Seminary, a school where he previously taught. He was later elected provincial superior of the Eastern Province of Congregation of the Mission in 1990 and served a full nine- year term.

Father Levesque began his tenure as the 25th president of Niagara University in 2000. Holding this role for 13 years, he became the fourth longest-tenured president in the University's history. Under his leadership, Father Levesque expanded the University's footprint and ensured its long-term success. He led ``The Promise of Niagara . . . The next 150 years'' campaign, raising a record $80 million for the university. These funds were used to build new state of the art facilities on campus and to renovate existing spaces. After Father Levesque stepped down from the presidency in 2013, the Niagara University Board of Trustees voted to confer him with the title President Emeritus.

At the culmination of his academic career, Father Levesque earned honorary degrees from Niagara University and St. John's University, two of the three Vincentian institutions of higher education in the United States, and an honorary doctorate from Christ the King Seminary.

Beyond academia, Father Levesque remained an active member and leader in the community. He served as the board chair of both St. John's University and Niagara University. Additionally, Father Levesque was an active member of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, a leadership organization for religious men in the United States. Through his roles as President and Liaison to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, Father Levesque gained national recognition for his work with the Catholic bishops and church authorities in Rome.

Today, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Father Joseph L. Levesque. His commitment to faith, passion for service, and unwavering leadership has changed our community for the better. Please join me in honoring Father Levesque for a lifetime of tremendous service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Buffalo's Gamma Phi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated.

The Gamma Phi Omega chapter was charted on June 25, 1944, by a group of young women returning to Buffalo from college. As a chapter of AKA, the oldest Greek letter organization established by African American, college-educated women, Gamma Phi Omega upholds the pillars of service, scholarship, and sisterhood within our community. For 80 years, the sisters of Gamma Phi Omega have provided essential services to the people of Western New York. Then efforts focus on sisterhood, family support, economic development, local community outreach, environmental protection, and social justice. Through initiatives such as their annual MLK Day of Service, the Debutante Leadership Program for young women's professional development, and Black Dollar Days to support local black-owned businesses, the Gamma Phi Omega chapter has made a positive impact on many lives.

Carrying out their commitment to service, the Gamma Phi Omega chapter ensures that members of our community have access to the essential resources they need. Their program, Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP), supplies weekend and holiday meals to children in need. To date, this program remains AKA's most ambitious effort to combat childhood hunger. Additionally, the chapter provides academic scholarships to young students in the area, supporting their pursuit of higher education and fostering the value of scholarship.

Today, we thank the sisters of Buffalo's Gamma Phi Omega chapter of AKA for their unwavering commitment to serving our community. Please join me in congratulating the Gamma Phi Omega chapter on an exceptional 80 years of service and thanking them for all they do to make our community a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the recently passed Longest Day, marked annually by the Alzheimer's Association on the Summer Solstice. For the Alzheimer's Association, the Summer Solstice-- the day with the most light--is an opportunity to spread awareness of the darkness of Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses.

Alzheimer's impacts millions of Americans and their families. Nearly 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's. But their burden is not theirs alone. Each of those individuals have families and communities that are impacted. In fact, the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 11 million Americans provide unpaid support to patients every year, accounting for more than 18 billion hours of care.

Alzheimer's impacts families in every state, every city, every neighborhood, of all races, incomes, and religions. As we commemorate this day that highlights the pain felt by so many Americans, the House must pass H.R. 619, the National Alzheimer's Project Act reauthorization, as well as H.R. 620, the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act. These bipartisan bills continue our nation's commitment to researching, treating, and ultimately curing this disease that has caused so much heartbreak and pain across the country.

I want to thank the countless advocates who have volunteered their time caring for loved ones, fought for new research funding, and always kept faith that future generations will never have to feel the grief of watching a loved one slowly slip away.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the recently passed The Longest Day, marked annually by the Alzheimer's Association on the summer solstice.

For the Alzheimer's Association, the summer solstice, the day with the most light, is an opportunity to spread awareness of the darkness of Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses.

Alzheimer's impacts millions of Americans and their families. Nearly 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's.

Their burden is not theirs alone. Each of these individuals have families and communities that are impacted. In fact, the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 11 million Americans provide unpaid support to patients every year, accounting for more than 18 billion hours of care.

Alzheimer's impacts families in every State, every city, every neighborhood, and all races, incomes, and religions.

As we commemorate this day that highlights the pain felt by so many Americans, the House must pass H.R. 619, the National Alzheimer's Project Act reauthorization, as well as H.R. 620, the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act. These bipartisan bills continue our Nation's commitment to researching, treating, and ultimately curing this disease.

We look forward to our continued support for those with Alzheimer's.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Theresa Ernestine Richardson Pope. A trailblazing educator, passionate leader, and loving family member, Mrs. Pope was a guiding light in our community and changed the lives of many.

Born on January 8, 1944, in Somerset, Kentucky, Mrs. Pope was raised by her maternal grandparents, Reverend Robert Mae and Sarah Jane Owsley, and in the loving company of her cousins, whom she considered her siblings. In the early 1960s, Mrs. Pope attended Somerset High School, becoming one of the first Black students to integrate the school. Mrs. Pope attended Kentucky State University, where she met her husband, Jerry D. Pope, Sr. In December 1965, the two were married and moved to Buffalo to continue their education at Buffalo State College. Here, Mrs. Pope earned her Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degrees, and Certificate in School District Administration and Educational Supervision.

Mrs. Pope dedicated her career to public education, serving as an English Language Arts teacher at various Buffalo public schools. She became the first African American woman to serve as an Assistant Principal at Seneca Vocational High School and later went on to become the Assistant Principal at Hutchinson Central Technical High School. After 33 years of dedicated service in the Buffalo Public School System, Mrs. Pope entered a well-deserved retirement.

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Pope was passionate about serving her community in numerous capacities. As a Golden Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of the Buffalo Gamma Phi Omega Chapter, Mrs. Pope worked to strengthen the sorority's community relations both locally and nationally. In her retirement, Mrs. Pope continued to advocate for better educational policies through her leadership with the Buffalo Retired Teachers and the Buffalo Retired Administrators Association. Mrs. Pope's exceptional commitment to community service earned her numerous awards from the Second Temple Baptist Church and the NAACP.

Today, Mrs. Pope is remembered as a loving mother of two, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of four. Please join me in honoring Theresa Ernestine Richardson Pope for her lifetime of service and her commitment to making education a reality for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Open Buffalo and the remarkable work they do to make our community a more just, equitable place for all.

Founded in 2014, Open Buffalo is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and ecological justice. Open Buffalo works to make Western New York a community free from discrimination and poverty by prioritizing long-term solutions to address systemic inequities. Through all of its actions, Open Buffalo leads with the values of empathy, accountability, collaboration, and restorative justice.

Open Buffalo's work takes place through two main avenues--leadership development and advocacy. They help to create Buffalo's next generation of skilled changemakers, hosting leadership trainings to empower our youth to make a positive difference in our community. Further, Open Buffalo has increased civic engagement in our community by giving individuals the platform to voice their own opinions and ideas.

Since Open Buffalo's founding, they have been a key advocate in social justice-based change, making a tangible impact on the lives of Western New Yorkers. Today, I wish to highlight their newest project, the Open Buffalo Ecology Center. The creation of the ``Eco Center'' will provide 10 acres of community green space on the East Side of Buffalo. Open Buffalo will host recreational activities and educational events for all in the community to participate in.

For 10 years, Open Buffalo has conducted the grassroots work to make our community a more equitable place for everyone. Please join me in congratulating Open Buffalo on their 10th Anniversary and thanking them for their remarkable service.

Mr. Speaker, on February 19, 2024, western New York, the Communications Workers of America, and organized labor lost a towering figure: Terri Legierski.

Terri was a prominent member of CWA Local 1133 in Buffalo. She served as the legislative and political director, working tirelessly to further the ideas of union advocacy and workers' rights across the region, the State, and the Nation.

Terri was widely known for her energy and positivity in the fight for the labor movement. She was passionate and endlessly dedicated to the cause. Her work wasn't limited just to words, although she had no qualms in telling you what was on her mind.

It was also evident in her actions. Terri was committed to making things better for the next generation of workers, and she refused to take ``no'' for an answer.

As an elected official, I had the honor of knowing Terri for many years, and I had the privilege of calling her my friend. With Terri, you knew that she was going to fight until the end, and that extended to the political arena. If she believed in a candidate and their values, she was going to do everything in her power to ensure that they won.

She helped to form the political landscape of western New York from city councils to mayors, town boards to supervisors, county legislators and executives, State assembly members and Senators, and Members of Congress.

Whether it was a reception, a rally, or a picket line, Terri could work a crowd better than anyone. She was not the tallest person, but finding her was never a struggle because she would be front and center with a beaming smile and always dressed to impress in her CWA red.

I vividly remember her outside Mercy Hospital in south Buffalo during the Catholic Health strike, fighting with every ounce of strength she could muster to make sure that the workers' demands were heard loud and clear, and you know what? They were, with the workers soon after coming to a hard-fought and well-deserved agreement with the hospital system, ensuring not just fair pay and benefits for a hard day's work, but just as importantly, ensuring safer nurse-to-patient ratios because they knew that safe staffing saves lives. It is because of her work securing that contract, Terri Legierski saved lives.

As a former State Senator, one of the highlights of any legislative session was ACA's advocacy days. She would be there with her brothers and sisters in labor, advocating for critical legislation and teaching new members why civic engagement is so important.

Terri and I were always connected in the struggle for workers' rights and better healthcare environments for the workforce, which provided for better outcomes for those that they cared for.

Whether that is safe patient handling, safe staffing, helping striking workers get access to unemployment benefits, or raising the minimum wage, if it was good for workers, Terri fought tooth and nail for it. Her track record speaks for itself. Every one of those issues was addressed by the New York State legislature.

In her final months, Terri worked through her illness, never letting the struggle for workers' rights take a back seat to her own needs.

In Terri's last days, she communicated that one of her greatest regrets in passing on was that she would not be there to watch me be sworn in on the floor of the House of Representatives.

However, Terri was very much in this room on May 6. Her spirit continues to be with us and resonates in the work that we do each and every day, as it will be as we carry on her legacy in the fight for workers and for the rights of organized labor everywhere.

She is survived by her husband, Mike; children, Tommy and Megan; daughter-in-law, Veronica; and grandchildren, Landon and Declan.

To Terri's immediate and extended family, all of western New York and supporters of organized labor mourn with you, and we thank you for sharing such a genuine and magnificent soul with us.

The world is a better place because Terri Legierski worked to make it so, and in her memory, we will continue that movement forward. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Mike Thompson and Lucy McBath and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse, along with the rest of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force for organizing this important Special Order.

I especially thank Representative McBath, not only for her leadership, but for sharing her extremely personal and heartbreaking story. It is inspiring to see Representative McBath turn her grief into action to help save lives in this country. I am honored to stand by her side.

Mr. Speaker, gun violence is an epidemic in our country, one that requires a national response.

In May 2022, a racist, domestic terrorist opened fire in the Tops Supermarket on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, in the heart of our community, stealing the lives of 10 innocent souls and severely wounding 3 others.

Just last Friday, a beautiful 3-year-old boy, Ramone L. Carter, was riding his tricycle when he was struck and killed by a bullet. His older sister, Jamia Griffin, age 7, was also grazed and hospitalized. Our community has rallied around Ramone and Jamia's family, but we know that no amount of support can undo the pain and unspeakable anguish that they feel.

That same day, in Fordyce, Alabama, a gunman opened fire with a shotgun at another grocery store, claiming the lives of four people and wounding nine, including two law enforcement officers.

Grocery store patrons and employees being slaughtered. Children and toddlers being murdered. Police being shot. It cannot continue.

This week, the U.S. Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis in America. It is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.

The common thread here is clear: guns and the ease with which they can be attained.

We can stop this. We can choose another path.

In New York, following the Sandy Hook and Tops Supermarket shootings, we acted. We put in place strong red flag laws and banned high-capacity magazines and assault rifles. We made it possible to sue gun manufacturers for the damage caused by the weapons they produce that flood our streets. We created new grant programs for law enforcement to implement problem-oriented policing, using tactics like hot spots policing, street outreach, and crime prevention through environmental design, all adding up to a more targeted and effective approach to preventing gun violence.

To address mental health's role in gun violence, we made a record $1 billion investment in mental health services.

These actions work.

As of this month, police departments participating in the State's Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative saw a 28 percent decrease in shooting incidents resulting in injuries in the first 5 months of the year, but those laws won't save lives across our country. They won't stop guns from coming into New York.

We need Congress to act. At a time when we have the Supreme Court nitpicking whether a gun with a bump stock is a machine gun, like the one used in Las Vegas to shoot 90 rounds in 10 seconds, we need Congress to act.

When you can't send your kid to school, your loved one to the grocery store, or simply sit outside without fear of gun violence, we need Congress to act.

That means universal background checks, reinstating the assault weapons ban, banning bump stocks, military-grade body armor, and high- capacity magazines.

Repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which gives near-blanket civil suit immunity to gun manufacturers. And, yes, robustly funding mental health resources.

Nobody is coming after the Second Amendment. We are simply trying to save our kids' lives.

As a parent and as a community member who has been to far too many funerals due to gun violence, I implore my colleagues to work with us to pass these policies and make this country safer.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Pride Month, I rise to honor the life and memory of my friend Thomas Errol Gleed, a cherished member of the Buffalo LGBTQ community, a leader, and a friend to many.

Tom was a trailblazer. Following a career as a clothing store owner, he spent the rest of his life in public service. He started as an executive assistant to Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello, and for many years after as a dedicated employee of the Erie County Board of Elections, helping to ensure that one of our most cherished rights was carried out smoothly year after year.

He was a leader on the Erie County Democratic Committee and the Stonewall Democrats, never ceasing in his fight for equality for the LGBTQ community.

Tom passed away on April 28, but as a reflection of how wide his circle of friends hailed from, his funeral mass was not held until May 30, ensuring that so many people who loved Tom were able to come to the great city of Buffalo to say good-bye.

I express my deepest condolences to his many friends and his family, his loved ones, especially his longtime dear friend Bryan Ball.

May Tom Gleed rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to live on.