[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1693-E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LONG-SERVING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER 
                      CARRIERS IN WESTERN NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, in today's time of challenging budgets and 
fiscal uncertainty, at a time when the long term success of the United 
States Postal Service hangs in the balance, it is altogether fitting 
and proper that we recognize the dedicated public servants who have 
populated the rank and file membership of the Postal Service in Western 
New York.
  The role of a letter carrier remains among the most fundamental in 
American society. It remains an amazing feat that a letter dropped into 
a mailbox in Buffalo, New York will shortly arrive at its destination, 
be it across town or across the country. Letter carriers face a wide 
array of complications, obstacles, hazards and other challenges as they 
complete their daily routes. Citizens across the United States open 
their mailboxes and routinely retrieve their mail, seldom stopping to 
reflect upon the work performed by letter carriers each day.
  Beyond their professional responsibilities, Letter Carriers are 
integral members of our community as well. While Letter Carriers 
participate in dozens of charitable events throughout the year, they 
are particularly effective in the annual ``Stamp Out Hunger'' food 
drive, where millions of pounds of nonperishable food items are 
delivered to community food banks throughout the United States. I'm 
proud to add that the Buffalo region was the first to undertake this 
effort, and our region routinely leads the nation in tons of food 
collected for this annual event.
  On Saturday, September 24th, Branch 3 of the National Association of 
Letter Carriers, representing Buffalo and Western New York, will hold 
its annual ``Old Timers' Night.'' This event will pay tribute to the 
careers of eleven letter carriers, each having more than 50 years of 
service.
  Scheduled to be honored are the following members with 55 years of 
service: Chester Gawel, Richard Miller, Albert Schattner, Chester 
Stuben, and John Zelli.
  Those with 50 years of service who are to be honored include: Richard 
Bailoni, Edward Dudkowski, Robert Hibbard, Salvatore Iannello, Joseph 
Sikorski, and John Tutaro.

[[Page E1694]]

  In addition, Life Members (past honorees with more than 50 years' 
service) will also be on hand for the event. They include: Florian 
Chmurzynski, Robert Connors, Frederick Diringer, Ronald Dubois, Norman 
Gast, Edward Jarnot, Kenneth Kreger, Albert Martin, Guy Merritt, James 
Mooney, Robert Ohlenschlager, and Thomas Trotta.
  The inscription at New York City's James Farley Post Office reads, 
``Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these 
couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'' I am 
pleased to join with Branch 3 of the National Association of Letter 
Carriers to honor these fine public servants, and to wish to them good 
luck and Godspeed in the months and years to come.

                          ____________________