[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 66 (Thursday, May 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S 
 SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEWLY RESTORED 
              HOTEL LaFAYETTE IN DOWNTOWN BUFFALO NEW YORK

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize the 
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (BECHS) on the occasion of 
their 150th Anniversary celebration. It is with great enthusiasm that I 
learned of their recent partnership with the newly restored Hotel 
Lafayette in Downtown Buffalo and I am inspired by their creative 
collaboration with significant restoration projects throughout our 
great city and region.
  As the premier historical organization in Western New York, the 
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society serves to collect, research, 
interpret and share the rich history of the Niagara Frontier. Founded 
in 1862, the organization holds more than 100,000 artifacts, 200,000 
photographs, and 20,000 books.
  On Thursday May 10, 2012, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical 
Society will celebrate their 150th Anniversary Gala and will partner 
with the Hotel Lafayette at a premier event held at the hotel to 
announce their collaboration and concept of leveraging Western New York 
history as a brand. Their shared vision will be showcased at the hotel 
in the form of inspired images, artifacts and ephemera from the museums 
vast collection.
  Other creative collaborative efforts include: the use of BECHS 
designed Pan-American dinnerware for use as dessert plates in the newly 
named Pan-American Grill and Brewery in the Hotel, curating reproduced 
images for the hotel suites and corridors, and wall coverings to name a 
few.
  As Buffalo's Congressional Representative, and a former teacher of 
History and Economics at Buffalo State College, it gives me great pride 
to see such innovative collaborations come to life. This presents a 
remarkable opportunity to tell the great story of Buffalo, its rise as 
one of America's fastest growing cities with a bustling and diversified 
economy, home of the Pan-American Exposition in 1901, and home of many 
of the great works of architectural and landscape greats of America. 
This partnership also allows us to tell the story of a city that is 
making a great comeback, in large part due to the creativity and 
contributions of its citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the long-
standing work and commitment of the staff, board of directors, docents 
and volunteers at the Buffalo and Erie County's Historical Society on 
the occasion of their 150th Anniversary Gala at the grand, Hotel 
Lafayette.

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