[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1467-E1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM F. ``BILL'' ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRIAN HIGGINS--

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of a dedicated public servant whose contributions to the residents of 
my district will live on for many years to come--The Honorable William 
F. ``Bill'' Robinson.
   Born in Valdosta, Ga., Mr. Robinson spent part of his youth in 
Miami, where he excelled at baseball. In 1934, he went on to play in 
the Negro Leagues for the Brooklyn Royals, as a catcher for the team 
until 1940. His old uniform now hangs in the Negro League's Baseball 
Museum in Kansas City, Mo.
   Moved to Buffalo in 1942, Mr. Robinson employed his training as a 
welder and was recruited to build machine guns at the old Buffalo Arms 
plant during World War II. He later was employed at International 
Railway Co., a forerunner to the Niagara Frontier Transportation 
Authority (NFTA), for which he was one of the first African-American 
bus drivers, retiring in 1979 after 35 years of service.
   What's most amazing, however, is what Bill Robinson did long after 
most people retire from active work service. Retired from the NFTA but 
still active as a Democratic Party activist, Mr. Robinson was appointed 
to the County Legislature in the mid-1980s, following the death of his 
son Barry, who had been elected to three terms in his own right.
   Mr. Robinson's service in the Legislature for a time coincided with 
my own service on the

[[Page E1468]]

Buffalo Common Council, and while we represented different portions of 
the city, Mr. Robinson's commitment to his community was on constant 
display. From 1986 to 1993, Bill Robinson served his constituents with 
honor, dignity and effectiveness. A quiet man with enormous 
intelligence, it was an honor to call Bill Robinson my colleague in 
government. During his time in the Legislature, Bill Robinson served 
with men and women who would later become members of Congress, State 
Senators, Members of the State Assembly (including party floor leaders) 
and many other officeholders.
   Madam Speaker, Bill Robinson was a truly dedicated public servant; 
an individual who touched the lives of everyone he met. The impact he 
made in Erie County will forever bear his name and legacy. I thank you 
for joining all of Erie County in expressing to the Robinson family the 
deepest condolences of the House upon their loss.

                          ____________________