[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING WNY AMERICORPS, PUSH BUFFALO, AND BUFFALO REUSE

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, most are familiar with ABC's Extreme 
Makeover: Home Edition program which embarks on the monumental task of 
building a new home from the ground up in just one week for a deserving 
family. Last week WNY AmeriCorps, People United for Sustainable Housing 
(PUSH) Buffalo and Buffalo ReUse, organizations in my hometown, took on 
that job.
  On a visit to the site I was expecting to see the team's progress on 
the Powell family home on Massachusetts Avenue but what I witnessed far 
exceeded expectations.
  The extreme team, which comprised of WNY AmeriCorps, PUSH Buffalo and 
Buffalo ReUse, in partnership with David Homes and many more from the 
community stepping up to help, went house to house patching roofs, 
fixing porches, planting shrubs, painting siding and more.
  Hailed by producers as unlike any community effort they've seen in 
the show's history, the organizations worked in perfect 
synchronization, Buffalo ReUse deconstructing and recycling building 
materials, AmeriCorps donating and managing volunteers by the thousands 
and PUSH Buffalo working throughout the neighborhood, all operating 
around the clock for one week improving over 50 homes. But it didn't 
stop there. Their generosity inspired others, prompting food and blood 
drives and the construction of a community garden.
  Madam Speaker, today I am honored to recognize WNY AmeriCorps, PUSH 
Buffalo and Buffalo ReUse for taking on the assignment to develop a 
home and turning it into an opportunity to develop hope--hope for a 
family, a neighborhood and an entire city. While the spotlight 
highlighted their efforts last week, these organizations work quietly 
each and every day building a better future for the Western New York 
Community and for that we are deeply grateful.

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