[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING RETIRING ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOEL GIAMBRA

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the public 
career and personal sacrifices of Joel A. Giambra, who, on December 31, 
2007, concluded more than two decades of continuous elective public 
service with the end of his second and final term as Erie County 
Executive.
  Joel faced challenges throughout his career, and most particularly 
throughout his two terms as County Executive. Hit with a cancer 
diagnosis before taking the oath of office as County Executive, Joel 
faced that challenge and many, many more with a sense of commitment 
and--most especially--aplomb that inspired many to heed his advice to 
quit smoking.
  Joel and I had the pleasure--and I do mean that it was a pleasure--to 
serve together as members of the Buffalo Common Council. My time 
serving alongside Joel was brief, but we were part of a new majority 
caucus on the council that was thoughtful, deliberative and served as 
an important check and balance on the office of the Mayor.
  Following Joel's service on the Common Council, he distinguished 
himself as Buffalo City Comptroller, administering a large department 
of city government charged with important day to day functions in city 
life.
  Joel's election as County Executive in 1999 was challenging at its 
start and was controversial almost throughout. Joel fought the fights 
he believed were worth fighting and never ducked a challenge. Joel 
rightly brought to the forefront the issues of overlapping governmental 
services and the need for county and local governments in Western New 
York to develop new strategies to collaborate and save taxpayer 
dollars. While Joel's efforts certainly could not be termed a complete 
success, he is widely and appropriately credited for bringing these 
issues to the forefront, and his efforts have paved the way for 
succeeding elected officials to find new and innovative ways to 
collaborate and consolidate services in the future.
  As I indicated, Joel's eight years as County Executive had its share 
of ups and downs, but while some questioned the policies Joel 
implemented, no one could question his commitment to the community that 
he lives in and loves so much. From meetings in Albany to Washington, 
DC and to points abroad, during his years as County Executive, Buffalo 
and Western New York had no more dedicated ambassador than Joel 
Giambra.
  Joel is now entering a new chapter of his professional life and we 
wish him good luck and Godspeed in his future endeavors, and Madam 
Speaker, I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to 
recognize Joel's public career.

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