[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO ROSE CIOTTA

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                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 1998

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of 
our colleagues the extraordinary career of long-time Buffalo News 
reporter and columnist, Rose Ciotta, who will soon be departing for a 
new challenge, and I'm sure continued success, in Philadelphia. She 
will be receiving much-deserved recognition this weekend when the 
Buffalo Sailing Club honors her at its Last Chance Regatta.
  Rose, a graduate of Bishop O'Hern High School and Syracuse 
University, began work for the News in June, 1977. Over the years she 
became one of the most highly regarded political and feature writers in 
Western New York. For the past eleven years, she has also written a 
weekly boating column that is a ``must read'' for all of the area's 
sailboat racers, in fact, for everyone who uses the great water 
resources of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
  Rose Ciotta's contribution to the Buffalo waterfront cannot be 
overstated. Her columns have showcased the people and the events that 
make up our waterfront life and have served to make this great resource 
accessible and immediate to all of the residents of Western New York. 
Although an ardent sailboat racer herself, Rose's interests were 
eclectic, spanning two Great Lakes; two countries, the United States 
and Canada; and the Niagara River and Erie Canal, as well.
  Rose Ciotta's special talent was in presenting the facts or history 
of an event in the words of those taking part. Her stories about boat 
races, lighthouse restoration, boating clubs, even legislation, always 
involved the people behind the operation. She brought glory to those 
who love the waterfront and never expected any recognition for their 
special contributions. These people are our neighbors and friends and 
Rose's interest in their accomplishments made the waterfront a place 
for all of us, in which we can all take pride.
  Rose brought the waterfront to the people of Western New York in a 
way that no developer or policy maker could. She made it real; she made 
it fun; she made people care. Congratulations and thanks to Rose Ciotta 
as she leaves us for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She will be sorely 
missed.

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