[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING NEW YORK STATE SENATOR MARC COPPOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to inform the House of the 
effective and faithful service in the New York State Senate of a great 
son of North Buffalo, New York State Senator Marc A. Coppola.
  Marc Coppola's career in elective public service began with his 
appointment and subsequent election to the Buffalo Common Council's 
Delaware District seat in 2000. In that capacity, Marc and his office 
staff developed a reputation as one of the most effective and efficient 
constituent service operations in city hall. Constituents from 
throughout the city came to know that their problems and concerns could 
be addressed in Councilman Coppola's office.
  In 2004, following an election cycle that saw the Common Council 
successfully downsized from 13 to 9 members, Marc was chosen by his 
council colleagues to serve as Majority Leader of the Common Council. 
Marc's leadership resulted in a number of important reforms in city 
hall and opened up city government to the people in greater numbers 
than ever before. I recall watching sessions of the Common Council in 
those days--I began my career as a Buffalo Councilman back in the 
1980s--and I remember being struck by the professionalism that Marc 
displayed in serving as floor leader for the council at that time. Gone 
was the infighting and the grandstanding that marked floor debates 
years ago; Marc's steady hand and patient leadership brought dignity 
and honor to that legislative body.
  Early in the year, after the election of then-Senator Byron Brown to 
the office of Mayor of the City of Buffalo, Marc Coppola won a special 
election as State Senator. In only several months in office, Marc 
developed a formidable record in the State. As a veteran of the New 
York State Legislature myself, I know well how partisan that 
institution can be, and as a Democratic senator in a Republican-
dominated Senate, Marc demonstrated time and again his ability to reach 
across the aisle and work with the party in power. In so doing, Marc 
was able to see important legislation pass and become enacted into law, 
and he was able to best represent his constituents in Buffalo, 
Tonawanda, Grand Island and Niagara Falls.
  Although Marc won't be returning to Albany in January 2007, the 
impact of his brief service in Albany will be felt long after his 
senatorial career concludes. The people of Buffalo and Western New York 
were well served by Marc Coppola, and as a young leader in our area, 
his service to our community is not complete. My personal best wishes 
go out to Marc, his wife Denise and their three sons, and I hope that 
you, Mr. Speaker, will join with me in extending to the Coppola family 
our best wishes of good luck and Godspeed in all of their future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________