[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, RALPH J. 
                              GALANTI, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and gratitude 
that I stand here today to recognize Ralph J. Galanti, Jr., Erie 
Community College Director of Athletics who is retiring after 36 years 
of service to ECC.
  Born and raised in the City of Lackawanna, over the last three and 
one-half decades Ralph ``Chico'' Galanti has completely transformed 
ECC's athletic program, putting ECC on the map in the college sports 
world.
  As coach of the ECC hockey team, Galanti led the team to appearances 
at eight NJCAA national championships, winning five regional titles.
  In his role as Athletic Director, Galanti was instrumental in brining 
football to ECC and had a hands on role in the development of ECC's 
Burt Flickinger Athletic Center, a facility awarded for its design, 
which not only serves the college but the entire community, hosting 
national athletic events.
  Galanti's ongoing efforts increased enrollment at the school where he 
pushed students to balance athletics and academics.
  For his accomplishments, Chico has been inducted into the Greater 
Buffalo Hall of Fame and the National Junior College Athletic 
Association Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame.
  The Ralph and Grace Galanti Memorial Scholarship fund honor's Ralph's 
parents, and continues his legacy of commitment, by assisting the 
student athletes in our community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I recognize Ralph Galanti, 
Jr., a man whose devotion to Erie Community College has shaped the 
lives of thousands of ECC students and left a positive mark on the 
entire Western New York community. On behalf of the residents of New 
York's 27th Congressional District I would like to wish Chico health 
and happiness in his retirement by using his signature farewell, ``be 
happy.''

                          ____________________