[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 112 (Monday, July 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONOR THE LIFE OF JAMES T. MOLLOY

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
life of James T. ``Jimmy'' Molloy, former Doorkeeper of the House of 
Representatives. Jimmy was one of my district's finest citizens, a 
proud and favorite son of South Buffalo, New York and undoubtedly one 
of the greatest public servants in our Nation's Capitol for over 40 
years. Jim's passing marked a sad day throughout Capitol Hill and 
throughout Jim's neighborhood, a loss that will be felt for years to 
come, yet his gracious spirit and world-class stories will be 
remembered by all those who were fortunate enough to call Jimmy Molloy 
a friend.
  James T. Molloy was born in South Buffalo on June 3, 1936, to Matthew 
Molloy and Katherine Hayden Molloy. Educated in Buffalo's Catholic 
schools, he followed his father's footsteps by working in the grain 
elevators of Buffalo's waterfront and fighting fires as a proud member 
of the Buffalo Fire Department.
  Through his labor, James T. Molloy paid his own way through Canisius 
College, a great Jesuit institution in Western New York, and became a 
lifelong friend of Western New York working families. He was a member 
of the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Longshoremen and 
International Association of Firefighters. After pursuing studies at 
St. John's University Law School, James T. Molloy worked as a 
schoolteacher in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna. He also worked 
in the office of Erie County District Attorney where he met his wife, 
Roseanne.
  Jim came to Washington in 1968 at the invitation of New York 
Congressman John Rooney. During his service in the House Finance 
Office, he oversaw the legislative appropriations for the House as they 
grew from $75 million to $126 million per year. James T. Molloy was 
elected doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives in 
1974 and proudly remained in that post through the 103d Congress, 
serving as the primary aide to Speakers Carl Albert, Thomas ``Tip'' 
O'Neill, James Wright and Tom Foley.
  In fact, Jim was the last of 30 people to hold the position of 
doorkeeper from its establishment in 1789 to its elimination in 1995. 
Within this capacity, he introduced Presidents and numerous heads of 
state to our august body. He coordinated 71 joint sessions of Congress, 
as well as many other special events, within this Chamber. Jim also 
acted as a vital connection between his hometown, South Buffalo, New 
York, and Congress, inspiring countless men and women from the Buffalo 
area to consider careers in public service. Additionally, Jim served as 
chairman of the board on the Wright-Patman Congressional Credit Union, 
a position he held for 30 years.
  James T. Molloy was awarded numerous honors for his life's work in 
public service. He received the Outstanding Citizen Award for the New 
York State AFL-CIO, the President's Award from the New York State 
Federation of Police, the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association 
Outstanding Service, and the Sid Yudain Congressional Staffer of the 
Year Award from Roll Call. In July of 2005, I considered it a privilege 
and an honor to sponsor a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to 
name a South Buffalo Post Office in James T. Molloy's honor. This 
recognition was so well deserved and a lasting reminder of Jim's strong 
commitment to his neighborhood and our great Nation.
  I was deeply saddened upon learning of the passing of James T. 
Molloy. To pay respect to his legacy, I issued the following statement:
  ``For 20 years South Buffalo's own James T. Molloy served as the 
House of Representatives doorkeeper, a prestigious title held by only 
34 people going back to 1789. As the individual with control of access 
to the House Chambers he held great authority but was especially known 
for greeting Western New Yorkers visiting the Capitol with particular 
affection. Generations of local residents, many of whom can be found 
working on the Hill today, benefited from his welcoming spirit and 
institutional knowledge.''
  ``Jim was a friend and confidant. In my first days and months in 
Congress he was generous with his time and advice, passing on valuable 
lessons I keep with me today. He will be dearly missed by those in 
Washington, DC and friends and family locally but we have peace knowing 
that our own legendary and beloved doorkeeper has now gone on to meet a 
doorkeeper of a much higher power.''
  Mr. Speaker, our country has suffered a great loss with Jim's passing 
and my deepest condolences are with his wife, Roseanne, his daughter, 
Amy and son-in-law Michael Bogardus, his beloved grandchildren 
Catherine and Caroline and Jim's siblings Janet Molloy and Kathleen and 
William Straub, as well as extended family members and friends. As 
someone who was blessed to know Jimmy Molloy, I will always carry his 
memory through these halls.

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