[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SUSAN GASKA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the outstanding 
career and accomplishments of Susan Gaska who is retiring after 
thirteen years as Chief Executive Officer of the Western New York 
chapter of the Young Women's Christian Association. Ms. Gaska's many 
years of service have had a profound effect not only on the YWCA but on 
the entire Western New York Community.
  Through her diligent, forthright leadership, Susan brought the YWCA 
from the brink of bankruptcy in 1986 to a full service organization 
with a $5 million operating budget in 1998. Although this is a 
remarkable accomplishment in itself, it tells only part of the story.
  The YWCA of Western New York was established in 1870 and 
traditionally served the community as a temporary shelter for women. 
But, Susan Gaska envisioned a YWCA that would empower women who are 
struggling with domestic violence, single parenthood, and illness by 
giving them long-term solutions to immediate problems such as child 
care, housing, and health care. To that end Susan has been in the 
forefront of developing workable solutions to these difficult problems 
that so many women face every day.
  Thanks to seven years of coalition building, fund-raising, needs 
assessment and planning under Susan's leadership the YWCA now provides 
safe, affordable day care to over 1,000 children per day. Three notable 
day care clinics have been established, one each at the County and 
State Supreme Court building, and at Erie County Medical and Children's 
Hospital. These centers grant mothers peace of mind, secure in the 
knowledge that their children are safe and well cared for.
  In addition, the YWCA has become an innovator in establishing the 
first transitional housing program in our area. This program helps move 
women who are victims of domestic abuse from shelters to apartments 
operated by the YWCA, on a case-managed basis. Susan has also worked to 
secure government funds to turn former school 42 in Buffalo into a 
multi-generational, multicultural facility. That building has been 
renovated to accommodate 65 low-income housing units designed for 
senior citizens, as well as space for elder care, child care and much-
needed after school programs.
  Susan also took the initiative to help establish EncorePlus, a no-
cost recovery program for women diagnosed with breast or cervical 
cancer. In addition, working with local hospitals, Susan was able to 
establish free diagnostic exams for those women aged 40 and over who 
have little or no insurance. She has also been personally involved in 
fighting discrimination, founding the YWCA Racial Justice Committee and 
courageously offering space in the YWCA to the Gay and Bisexual Youth 
services organization.
  These accomplishments alone are worthy of high praise, but Susan 
Gaska's efforts have extended into the political realm as well. More 
than 216 women have graduated from the Institute for Public Leadership, 
designed by Susan to teach political skills to women. Twenty-three of 
the Institute's graduates have won public office and many more are 
likely to do so in the years do come.
  I am pleased to join the YWCA and the people of Western New York to 
honor the extraordinary career of Susan Gaska, a women who made a 
difference in our community and in the lives of countless young women 
who came to the Y for help. She helped to change their lives and our 
community for the better. In short, Susan has shown us what good works 
can be accomplished with vision, commitment, and leadership, Mr. 
Speaker, I commend the career and achievement of Susan Gaska to the 
attention of all Members of the House.

                          ____________________