[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MS. PATRICIA WOJCIK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I pause to remember the great life 
and work of Patricia Wojcik the longtime director of the Department of 
Senior Services in Cheektowaga, New York.
  For nearly two and a half decades Pat dedicated her life to making 
the lives of seniors in Western New York healthier, happier and more 
fulfilled.
  Upon first assuming her leadership role in town government in 1980, 
Pat made it her mission to give local seniors a place to gather, learn, 
have fun and build friendships.
  Two short years later the Cheektowaga Senior Center opened its doors 
and over the years since, thousands of seniors were greeted at those 
doors by Pat's smiling face and kind words.
  The many ways Pat touched the lives of others is far too great to 
mention here but her commitment is demonstrated in the respect she had 
for the commitment of those she served. Each year one of her trademark 
events was a ceremony which included a splendid celebration for 
Cheektowaga couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
  Her devotion to her work didn't go unrecognized. She received citizen 
of the year awards from the Am Pol Eagle and Zonta Club, was recognized 
by the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and in 2005 I was honored to 
nominate her to represent our area for the White House Conference on 
the Aging.
  That same year, 25 years after she first started, Pat turned over her 
duties at Cheektowaga's Senior Center and began a well-deserved 
retirement.
  On June 10, 2011 I will join long-time Cheektowaga leader Assemblyman 
Dennis Gabryszak, Pat's friends, family and co-workers to plant a tree 
in Pat Wojcik's honor in front of the building where she spent so many 
years.
  Her memory will live on with this tree as well as in the hearts of 
all of us who knew and loved her.

                          ____________________