[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JOANNE D. GIANGRECO

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2010

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Joanne D. 
Giangreco, an active member of the Buffalo and Western New York 
community, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 82.
  Born Joanne Downing, Joanne graduated from Bennett High School in 
1945, attended St. Joseph College of Emmitsburg, Maryland, and 
graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1950. She was a gifted 
athlete, winning an AAU swimming championship in high school as well as 
playing basketball during her time at St. Joseph College. Joanne 
continued her athletic career after college as an avid golfer and 
racquetball player, often beating her older male competitors at the 
Buffalo Athletic Club.
  Indeed, Joanne's athleticism was not limited to her sporting 
performances. In 1945, as a swimming lifeguard at my own neighborhood's 
South Park pool, Joanne performed CPR and saved the life of a toddler 
who had fallen and hit his head.
  A lifelong Democrat, Joanne appeared on WBEN-TV in 1952 to support 
Adlai Stevenson in his presidential campaign. Her political views were 
largely influenced by her father, Francis J. Downing, who was the 
Executive Director of the Buffalo-Area Emergency Relief Bureau and the 
Works Progress Administration under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 
Mr. Downing later served as a department head in the administration of 
Buffalo Mayor Frank A. Sedita.
  Joanne was actively involved throughout Western New York, serving as 
the president of the Buffalo Inter-Club Women's Bowling Association. 
She was a founding member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in 
Amherst, was secretary for the St. Gregory Home School Association, and 
served as chairwoman of Ladies Golf at Cherry Hill. Additionally, 
Joanne was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society as well as the 
Girl Scouts.
  Joanne, widowed by the passing of her husband Joseph in 2001, is 
survived by her five children, several grandchildren and her siblings. 
Indeed, Joanne's son Peter is a trusted and valued friend to me, whose 
counsel I have sought and have valued since my initial run for Congress 
in 2004.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the 
Giangreco and Downing families for their loss, and I ask my colleagues 
to join me in honoring the life of Joanne Giangreco and recognizing the 
tremendous impact she had on the lives of those she knew.

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