[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EDWARD O. WATTS, SR.

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge Edward O. 
Watts, Sr., director of Watts Architecture & Engineering, who passed 
away on October 31, 2013 in Buffalo at the age of 70.
  A native of the State of Alabama, Mr. Watts attended school there, 
graduating from Camden Academy. He earned a bachelor's degree in 
mechanical engineering from Tuskegee University, and went on to gain 
his master's degree from Baldwin Wallace College.
  Mr. Watts began his career at Lockheed Martin in Atlanta as a design 
engineer, and moved on to work for DuPont in Cleveland, Ohio, before 
being transferred to Niagara Falls. He was able to follow the American 
Dream and start his own business, now known as Watts Architecture & 
Engineering. The company began with just one employee--Mr. Watts 
himself--and now employs about 100 people. Recently, the firm 
celebrated its 25th anniversary. Mr. Watts received many business and 
design awards for his work, perhaps the most prominent being the U.S. 
Small Business Administration Graduate Firm of the Year Award in 2010.
  Dedicated to giving back to communities that helped him grow, Mr. 
Watts was a member of the Tuskegee University Alumni Association, and 
frequently returned to the school to raise funds to upgrade the 
engineering department and for scholarships. He helped fund the Watts 
Family Scholarships at Alabama State University in honor of his mother, 
who was a graduate of the university. Mr. Watts also generously 
contributed to schools in his native Western New York. His company 
provides scholarships every year at the University at Buffalo for 
minority students, one for the School of Engineering and one for the 
School of Architecture. Mr. Watts completed the University at Buffalo 
Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and for more than 10 
years he returned as a mentor for numerous business owners.
  Mr. Watts was a member of the Lincoln Memorial United Methodist 
Church and served on its board of trustees as church treasurer. His 
favorite pastime was playing the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in 
Alabama--a passion he pursued at home as well. He organized the Watts 
Open Golf Tournament for his employees as well as the American 
Institute of Architects/American Council of Engineering Consultants of 
Western New York Golf Tournament.
  Mr. Watts's dedication to his community was equaled by his love for 
his family.
  Together, he and his wife of forty-four years, Lydia, raised two 
sons, Edward and Jonathan. Mr. Watts was close with his siblings, Dr. 
Vivian DeShields, Claudette Camp, Dr. Geraldine Bell, and Harold Watts.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to recognize 
Mr. Watts's incredible contributions to Buffalo's architecture and 
engineering community, as well as his admirable philanthropy. I extend 
my deepest condolences to his family, and am truly appreciative of all 
his great works.

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