[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING TOM GRACE UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend a sincere 
congratulations to my good friend Tom Grace upon his retirement as a 
social worker from the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and 
Mental Disabilities. Tom Grace worked for 30 years in the Developmental 
Disabilities Service Office in West Seneca, New York.
  Tom is a well respected union official in Western New York; in 1981 
he was elected as the first President of Division 167 of the 
Professional Employees Federation. Tom was the Western New York 
Regional Coordinator for PEF from 1985 through 1987. For many years he 
served on the Executive Board of the Buffalo AFL-CIO District Council 
and presently serves on the Executive Board of the Western New York 
AFL-CIO Federation.
  Tom Grace is also a distinguished social activist. Tom has always 
been a leader in the fight for social change in the United States. He 
is a staunch Democrat, and over the years he has been most generous 
with his time and resources. Tom's social activism goes back to his 
college days. On May 4, 1970 Tom was one of the students wounded at 
Kent State while protesting the Viet Nam war. Tom's spirit is 
unwavering. He is committed to speaking out when he sees injustice; be 
it in the work place or the social theater that makes up this Nation.
  Tom has a reputation for fearlessness; he is modest in stature but 
grand in his convictions. Mr. Grace will be greatly missed but I am 
sure he will not travel far from the causes so dear to him.
  It is with great pride and gratitude I stand here today to recognize 
Tom Grace for his many years of support and for his commitment as a 
community advocate. I wish Tom, his wife Peggy and their children TJ 
and Allison many years of continued health and happiness.

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