[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARGARET GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Margaret 
Griffin, wife of the late former Mayor of the City of Buffalo, James D. 
Griffin.
  Mrs. Griffin was born in the early 1930s and grew up in a large Irish 
family in the South Buffalo neighborhood of the Old First Ward.
  Margaret married James Griffin in 1968 and the couple had three 
children together Maureen, Megan and Thomas.
  Margaret served as Buffalo's first lady for 16 years from 1978-1994, 
and was considered the mayor's most trusted ally.
  Margaret preferred to stay out of the public spotlight and let her 
husband make the headlines during his time in office, but she always 
remained influential in her husband's decision making as they worked 
together to enhance the lives of the citizens of Buffalo, NY.
  While her husband led the City through tumultuous years, Margaret was 
described by her children as ``the backbone'' of their family as she 
set as example of strength and poise to her children as they grew up in 
the political spotlight.
  Margaret's children recall how she and her husband made a great 
couple, loved each other very much, and loved to laugh and reminisce 
with friends.
  Later in her life, Margaret became ``Nana Margie'' and displayed the 
same love for her grandchildren as she did for the rest of her family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in remembering 
Margaret Griffin, a truly remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, friend, 
and servant of the City of Buffalo and its citizens.
  I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mrs. 
Margaret Griffin, to her children Maureen and John Tomczak, Megan and 
Thomas and Colleen Griffin, to her grandchildren and surviving family 
and friends. Mrs. Griffin earned the respect of many and although words 
cannot truly express the kind and fun-loving woman that Margie was, it 
is my hope that the memories and stories of Mrs. Griffin can serve as a 
lasting tribute to her life and service to so many families throughout 
our great city, Buffalo, New York.

                          ____________________