[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E168-E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING DANIELLE M. DeJOY FOR HER EXEMPLARY CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to enter 
into the record an article published in the Post Journal of Jamestown, 
NY, on January 22, 2005 and a brief explanation of its origin.
  On January 4, 2005, I was blessed and honored by the presence of 
hundreds--that's correct, hundreds--of friends, family and supporters 
who traveled to this great capital city of Washington, DC, to attend 
ceremonies associated with the administration of my oath of Office as a 
member of the 109th Congress.
  One very special attendee that day, Danielle DeJoy, an 11th grade 
student at Falconer High School in ``South County''--the southern 
portion of Chautauqua County, was kind enough to commit the events of 
her trip to Washington to paper, and her account of that trip was 
published in the Post Journal on January 22, 2005. A transcript of that 
article is included herein.
  I enter this material to serve as an example to young people 
throughout the nation of the importance of civic involvement in our 
everyday lives. Danielle's interest and participation in civic events 
undoubtedly was learned at the family dinner table--her father Vince is 
an exemplary civic leader in Jamestown, serving in many important 
capacities, including with the city's Rotary club and as Chair of the 
city's Democratic Committee--her commitment to paper of the events of 
this day is inspirational. It reminds us all that those of us blessed 
to be chosen by the people as their Representatives in ``the people's 
house'' must never forget from whence we came, and that Jessica DeJoy 
and the millions like her in these United Stated look to us as 
leaders--leaders who must strive hard to inspire young people and 
involve them in government.

                      A Day Never To Be Forgotten

       I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., 
     Tuesday, Jan. 4, to represent Chautauqua County for the 
     swearing-in of newly elected Congressman Brian Higgins. It 
     was an experience that I will never forget, and it has given 
     me a new perspective on how lucky we are to be Americans.
       My Dad, Vince DeJoy, is the chairman of the Jamestown 
     Democratic committee, and he felt that this would be an 
     educational experience. I was so excited to see our nations 
     capital for the first time in person and not just seeing it 
     on television or through pictures in the paper.
       In addition to my father, Chautauqua County Election 
     Commissioner Norm Green, Assistant Majority Leader of the 
     Chautauqua County Legislature Ron Szot of Dunkirk and Janet 
     Jankowski George made the trip to Washington. I had never 
     met any of these people, but after a day of traveling by 
     planes, trains and buses, I felt as if I have known them 
     all of my life. We had a great day together.
       We left Buffalo early Tuesday morning by plane at around 
     8:30. It was an overcast, gray day in Western New York, but 
     once our plane climbed above the clouds, the sky was that 
     pretty color blue that we long to see in January. The second 
     leg of the journey would involve an Amtrak train from BWI 
     Airport to Union Station in Washington, D.C. This would be 
     another first for me. The coach that we rode on was very 
     comfortable, clean and offered a very smooth ride. We arrived 
     at Union Station around 10:30 a.m., and the first thing that 
     caught me eye was the grandeur of this magnificent train 
     station. I tried to imagine the Erie Rail Road Station in 
     Jamestown, and how cool that it would be if it could be 
     restored to have the same feel that Union Station offered.
       Once outside the doors of Union Station, the view of the 
     capital dome was very impressive. Of course we had to pose 
     for pictures with the capital in the background exchanging 
     cameras within our group. We then made the four block walk to 
     the Cannon Office Building to the office of Congressman 
     Higgins. As soon as we walked into his new office, we were 
     greeted by Jonathan Weston of Panama. Jonathan found out that 
     he was fortunate enough to be chosen as a staff member to the 
     Congressman on Dec. 31. He was excited to see familiar faces 
     from Chautauqua County make the trip, and promptly introduced 
     us to the rest of Congressman Higgins staff.
       There were over 150 people that squeezed into Mr. Higgins' 
     office. There we enjoyed bagels, muffins and juice, while we 
     watched the actual ceremony on closed circuit television. The 
     well wishers became very quiet when the Clerk of the House 
     announced his name to vote for the House Leader. Than a huge 
     cheer was heard throughout the third floor of the building 
     with other congressional offices down the hall.
       We had some time to do sight-seeing before the next 
     reception, so we walked next door to the capital. Security 
     was very tight, but the Secret Service allowed us to get 
     close enough for some great pictures in front of the capital.
       The next reception started at 1:30 p.m. at the Rayburn 
     Building, and we decided to go there early. That was a very 
     wise choice because as we walked down the corridors past 
     rooms where House Committee meetings take place, we 
     approached the room which would host the reception and found 
     Senator Hillary Clinton just standing alone in the

[[Page E169]]

     doorway. I had met Senator Clinton in 2000 at Diethrick Park 
     while she made a campaign stop in Jamestown. She made us feel 
     that we were long lost friends. We even had the time to 
     discuss my college options. The Town Supervisor of Orchard 
     Park, Toni Cudney, took our picture with the Senator, and 
     then people quickly surrounded her.
       It wasn't until nearly 3 p.m. that Congressman Higgins was 
     able to come to his reception. While waiting, I got the 
     opportunity to meet a sorority sister of my mother from the 
     State University College at Geneseo, Peggy Hannon. I had 
     never met Peggy before, but she knew that I was Bonnie's 
     daughter right away. They lived together in the Alpha Clio 
     Sorority House 1981.
       Senator Chuck Schumer arrived in time to introduce 
     Congressman Higgins to the now large crowd of 200 people. 
     Intertwined with accolades for Mr. Higgins was the message 
     that my Dad really wanted me to hear and understand. Senator 
     Schumer spoke of the celebration of the peaceful transition 
     of power that just took place. We as Americans may take such 
     an event for granted, but the people of Iraq with elections 
     next month probably don't expect a peaceful transition of 
     power. The Ukraine also came to mind with their corrupt 
     elections, violence and even poisoning of a candidate.
       Mr. Higgins' speech thanked his supporters and his family. 
     The funniest part of the speech was a story that he told of 
     his son, John. He had a talk with his son at the onset of the 
     election, preparing him for the negative things that may be 
     said about his Dad.
       John said, ``Don't worry Dad, `the tax-man' will do OK.'' 
     This was a reference to television ads from his opponent. The 
     room erupted in laughter. My Dad got a big hug from Mr. 
     Higgins after the speech, and we posed for a picture with my 
     Mom's friend from college, that grew up with Brian Higgins in 
     South Buffalo.
       After the reception, our group walked the parade route of 
     the Presidential Inauguration down Pennsylvania Avenue. 
     Workers were very busy constructing reviewing stands for the 
     President at the White House, and setting up bleachers for 
     the public along the route. Again, the theme of celebrating 
     the peaceful transition of power came to mind. Seeing the 
     White House, even from the gates still gave me a chill 
     running up my spine.
       One last reception, at Mackey's Irish Pub on L Street, a 
     few blocks away from the White House. The speeches were over, 
     it was now time to unwind with our new friends from Buffalo 
     and Erie county, and to have something to eat--and celebrate 
     the wonderful things that Congressman Higgins hopes to 
     accomplish for Western New York, and the nation during his 
     tenure in the House of Representatives.
       My final thoughts and discussion with my Dad on the return 
     trip to Jamestown was how I felt like I was a part of the 
     democratic process, even though I am not old enough to vote 
     yet. I had a wonderful time with my father and my new 
     friends, and the memories will last for a lifetime.

                          ____________________